Tuesday, 16 April 2002  
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Welcome agreement

A major hurdle in the Lankan peace process has been cleared with the signing of an agreement between the leaders of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and those of the LTTE, to cooperate on affairs pertaining to the local Muslim community.

A decision of particular importance which was taken under the agreement, related to the establishment of a joint committee, comprising representatives of the SLMC and LTTE," to coordinate affairs related to the return of displaced Jaffna Muslims to their own homes".

A sizeable component of the Muslim community had been resident in the North-East for centuries, and it is to be only expected that they would be concerned about the fulfilment of their legitimate interests in the event a permanent settlement to the ethnic conflict is implemented. As is well known, a considerable number of Muslims have been displaced from their homesteads in the North-East, during the past years of war and bloodshed, and it is only right that they be resettled in their original homes, in the course of implementing a solution.

Certainly, a solution that doesn't take the legitimate concerns of the Muslim community into account is no solution at all. A comprehensive and just settlement would meet the legitimate interests of all communities figuring in the ethnic conflict - that is, the Sinhalese, the Tamils and the Muslims. There could be no question of one community being satisfied at the expense of the other.

This is the reason why the recent deliberations and agreement between the leaders of the SLMC and the LTTE should be warmly welcomed. It is vitally important that these parties continue to talk to each other and set up the necessary mechanisms to resolve any disputes which may arise between them.

As we go along, it should be remembered by all parties to the conflict that Sri Lanka should be a home of all its citizens, regardless of their ethnic, language and religious identities. It is only a country which ensures equality of status to all its communities which would win the allegiance of the latter. It is a Sri Lanka where its communities would not only co-exist peacefully but on equal terms, that would be regarded as a home by all its citizens.

This ideal could be realised only through democratic dialogue and not by the force of arms. This is why the current round of talks between the main minority communities should be encouraged and consolidated.

 

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