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Global community for political solution - PM

from Rodney Martinesz in Kataragama

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday underscored the need to preserve the present favourable international opinion enjoyed by the country vis-a-vis the ethnic conflict by forging unity in the South.

Addressing Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim clergy opposite the historic Kiri Vehera the Premier noted that the support of the international community was vital for any solution to be reached and they should drive home the advantage now derived. "We should now move forward apace with this international opinion."

The Prime Minister was speaking after participating in religious rites at the Kiri Vehera marking the launch of the peace pilgrimage to the North with a special pinnacle for the Sri Naga Viharaya in Jaffna after a 20-day journey, signifying yet another landmark in the road to peace.

The pinnacle and other relics were placed in a special chariot opposite the Kiri Vehera for the historic journey beginning today (22). The peace pilgrimage was organised by the Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena which had the blessings of the Maha Sangha.

The Premier said that the past two months demonstrate the extent of the goodwill and support of the international community towards Sri Lanka achieving peace due to this unity. He appreciated the President's co-operation in this regard and recalled that he had supported the President's peace moves as the then Leader of the Opposition.

The Premier as usual did not fail to warn of the pitfalls on the road to peace but drew a historical parallel in the battle between Dutugemunu and Tissa to show how it was only friction between the brothers that brought ultimate peace and unity to the country.

He said historic records show armies were trained to wage war to unite the country.

"But we will achieve unity while keeping our army on alert and through recourse to a political solution."

He said the international opinion today was against the division of the country and insisted that any solution should be within a unitary framework. "They also say they will not lift the ban on the LTTE unless it lays down arms".

The Premier said the country is moving apace on the peace front chiefly due to the favourable international opinion generated during the past two months and if it continues in the same direction the country could look forward to economic prosperity and no deaths on the battlefront.

"We must ask ourselves are we going to keep this international opinion intact or move backwards".

"With international opinion in our favour, let us move forward and find a solution and for this we need unity among ourselves."

He said the best way to achieve this unity was ending the bitterness in the South. 

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