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by Dr Vikramabahu Karunaratne

Minority masses are largely waiting for Ranil to deliver the goods. Cessation of violence only the beginning. Any way it is forced by the LTTE. In fact LTTE has made a strong appeal for a settlement.

It also feels the pressure of the Western alliance against terrorism. So Prabakaran has played his cards well and put the ball right in Ranil's court. Presently Ranil's establishment is enjoying the benefits of the temporary peace. However this will be an illusion unless a basis is established for permanent peace.

Firstly, a provisional civil administration should be established for the NE, with positive participation of the LTTE.

Secondly, some substantial devolution should be incorporated into the constitution to the satisfaction of the Tamil speaking people. Thirdly, Tiger army should be integrated into the Sri Lanka army as a regiment.

Can this be achieved by Ranil's regime? So far Ranil has not given any positive indication of going that far. In fact he has claimed that he opposed Chandrika's devolution, as it suggests a united republic as opposed to a unitary one.

If this is his stand then all Tamil expectation of a solution will be washed away soon.

In addition, government has not countered the campaign started by the JVP to oppose any kind of devolution of power. there is no attempt to mobilize the support of the social democratic forces that could favour a political solution.

Any way, one cannot be too pessimistic in the present context. There are powerful forces working for a political solution. Above all people are tired of this fruitless war.

On the other hand the message given by us on the left, has gone far in to the masses. Our influence cannot be summed up by the number of votes polled in an election where many complex forces operate.

JVP is trying to use many issues together to make their racist campaign successful. They could see that a naked campaign against a political solution or devolution could fall on deaf years. Hence they are using the tactic of combining social issues with that of devolution.

The attacks on oppositional political activists, forced retrenchment from public and private sector, promised wage rises according to the Salaries Commission, are some of the issue used by the JVP.

JVP, also has realized that taking the racist issue alone as a party, is a disadvantage from many angles.

Foremost is the inability to answer criticism made by local and international Marxist organizations and the dissolution of the cadre built on pseudo Marxism. Hence they are now attempting to revive their unity with the PA as a true political coalition to be used in the coming local government elections. For this they have already exchanged views with Chandrika. If this is true, the old Desapremi Janatha Viyaparaya will be truly back again. Racist actions would be carried out using PA as a cover.

Any serious coalition with the JVP will open a hornet's nest in the PA. Left progressive elements will break away to join us on the left. Some radicals of the JVP also may come out against the coalition with the SLFP capitalist leadership.

Thus it will be a new opportunity for the New Left Front to move forward. It will give us a new opportunity to forge a left progressive alliance against chauvinism and also the UNP regime.

Ranil's next step is not very clear. What ever the steps taken by the government, by coming out as a separate movement, NLF will be able to build a mass movement against chauvinism and global capitalism.

Left parties who answered our call for unity have already agreed to participate in a common meeting on following issues: (1) The post election repression against oppositional political activists. (2) Retrenchment of employees from public and private sector workplaces. (3) Rise of racist campaigns.

It was decided that the left should take the lead in a counter campaign. To start, a public meeting which is organised for this month at the Public Library Auditorium, Colombo 7. Parties in the discussion are: 1. Communist Party of Sri Lanka, 2. Sri Lanka Mahajana Party, 3. Democratic Left Front, 4. Desa Vimukthi Janatha Party, 5. New Left Front.

However Democratic Left Front led by Vasudeva informed us later that they are unable to participate in the above campaign as they wish to join with non left opposition parties to form a broad coalition. Obviously this is a pro-capitalist proposal. While campaigning together with other left parties, NLF will press to: (a) Abolish the dictatorial unitary constitution, (b) Devolve power and unite the country.

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