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Basket of humanitarian issues still to be addressed: PM

by Rodney Martinez

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Thursday that while food and essential items were reaching the people of Wanni there was yet a basket of humanitarian issues that needs to be addressed by the government to alleviate the conditions of the Northern citizens.

He was speaking at the 2nd death anniversary felicitation of Dr. A. C. S. Hameed at the BMICH.

"We are in the process of addressing all complaints of harassment especially with regard to detention while the question for restrictions on fishing is being examined for the possibility of easing it gradually.

"There are also complaints that some parts of the uncleared areas are not been adequately provided and steps are being considered for the opening of the A9 highway to overcome this problem.

"We are getting food going to the Wanni but I would like to see more food going."

He said it was the government which still maintains all facilities in the North such as health, education etc. As such it was the duty of the government to ensure that all areas in the country are provided equitably.

This would in turn create a better environment for the peace process to start and to proceed to the substantive issues, the Premier explained, recalling how earlier peace talks broke down due to the humanitarian question which was the major issue.

Speaking on the peace process Mr. Wickremesinghe explained that the government was now engaged in laying the foundation for peace talks through alleviating the condition of the citizens in the North.

This was in keeping with the UNF's election pledge to allow access to food and other essentials to the people of the North, stop their harassment and to ease restrictions on fishing.

"But this would have far reaching consequences which would have the effect of reviving the peace process," he said.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also renewed his appeal for ending confrontational politics to give peace its last chance."I say to all again, move away from confrontational politics. If not we cannot solve this problem. I cannot do this alone.

All must respond for the sake of the country. It takes two to a tango". The premier told the packed audience.Turning to his association with Dr. Hameed the Prime Minister recalled the days he met the late Foreign Affairs Minister in the company of President J.R. Jayawardene at Ward Place and how his own political skills was honed by watching the manoeuvres of the two grandmasters. "Working with one chess player is important. Working with two was unique" Mr. Wickremesinghe said of his early days as a beginner in politics.

The premier also recalled the role of Dr. Hameed as a peace negotiator and how (Dr. Hameed) maintained his consistency even when in the opposition, not obstructing the PA government's efforts in resolution of the conflict.

"Mr. Hameed had an influence on all of us. He always recognized the role he had to play in the UNP and the country and he played that roll well."

"Those who criticized him were later compelled to take the same steps he advocated."

"The time will come when history will record the contribution of A. C. S. Hameed", the Prime Minister added.

Minister Professor G. L. Peiris addressing the gathering described Dr. Hameed as a quintessentially pluralist politician who believed that all communities should feel at home in this country without any sense of inferiority. That is why for 40 years he was continuously returned by an electorate which 75 per cent Buddhist.

Mass Communication Minister Imitiaz Bakeer Markar said that Dr. Hameed's role in rebuilding the UNP after its rout in 1970 would never be forgotten.

The Minister recalled an episode in 1972 when Mr. J. R. Jayewardene was underfire from the UNP ex-co for extending his support to the United Front government.

When Mr. Jayewardene was descending the stairs at Siri Kotha after the stormy session he had only Mr. Hameed to accompany him while he (Minister) as the leader of the UNP Student, Front was leading a protest in the Siri Kotha compound for JR's ouster. Mr. Hameed had come towards the group demanding from the young Bakeer Markar if this was his democracy. That was the loyalty of the man towards his leader.

Mr. Hameed eventually became the first Sri Lankan non-head of state to be appointed foreign minister. According to Minister Bakeer Markar Mr. Hameed always groomed men for leadership, holding the view that since he could never aspire to be a prime minister there was no harm creating one.

"I would unhesitatingly say our Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is the result of this endeavour. "There is a lot to learn from the life and conduct of Mr. Hameed. Flexibility was his hallmark. One recalls how he want to meet Prabhakaran risking his own life. This is now part of our history."

The Dr. A. C. S. Hameed commemoration feature titled "Peace and Development" was delivered by Margot Wallstrom, Environment Commissioner European Union. Film footage showing some of the highlights in Mr. Hameed's political career was screened at the end of the speeches.

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