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Deciding wisely on the LG poll

PA National List MP and former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar's statement in parliament on Wednesday, pledging the grouping's support for the Government's peace effort, should have warmed many a heart.

This statement which was reportedly made with the full authority of the President and the PA Parliamentary Group, holds out the promise of close cooperation and unity between the Government and the opposition on the all-important task of forging ahead with the peace initiative.

However, more clarifications seem to be needed on this issue with reports that the SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena, had suggested later in the day, that his party wouldn't be in a position to extend its support to the peace effort if what he claimed was post-election violence and victimization, continued. He had also called for the postponement of the local government polls in the event the disturbances were not curbed.

We see here a conflict of opinion within the PA on the question of supporting the peace effort. While Mr. Kadirgamar's statement is, obviously, the more statesmanlike position to adopt, the SLFP General Secretary's pronouncement prefigures a tendency to hold the peace process to ransom over issues linked to the local political arena.

The latter scenario is the nightmare of all well-intentioned politicians and peace activists. Given the urgent need to preserve the momentum of the peace effort, we hope that wise counsel will prevail and the task of resolving the national question will be divorced from divisive, local political issues.

Nevertheless, a long hard look needs to be taken at these developments. The paramount need is peace. It stands to reason that everything possible must be done to strengthen the process of reconciliation. Emerging dangers to this process need to be minimised to ensure its continuance.

Accordingly, the question should be addressed whether another bitterly fought election wouldn't undermine the peace process. This is likely to happen if the opposition continues to complain that its supporters are being victimized and if it finds it opportune to raise divisive issues at the election.

The likelihood is also great that chauvinist organizations would use the election campaign to broach sensitive issues which impinge on peace and thereby harm the peace process. The same concerns were raised by the TULF, a couple of days back, which called for a postponement of the local government poll, on account of them.

The Government needs to take all these positions into consideration in the days ahead. It must avoid a course of action which would harm the peace project.

By determinedly stamping out lawlessness, the State could prepare the correct climate for the poll. In the final analysis, justice must be done by all.

• Editorial of  The Observer - Collaborating for peace 24.01.2002:
  

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