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Whither the SLFP?

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party has not yet decided on its policy towards the peace process. Strangely enough, it is a process that was initially set in motion by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, the present President of the SLFP. What Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe did was to re-invigorate it and steer it with a dynamism that was absent earlier.

While the President has openly declared her support to the process, the rank and file including certain prominent members, is taking different approaches towards it. We have been assured, the official position would be announced this week.

The SLFP is equally responsible as the UNP in sabotaging earlier efforts at ethnic reconciliation in this country. One wonders whether history will repeat itself again. If it happens it would be tragedy of tremendous proportions.

What causes apprehensions in the minds of peace-loving citizens is the open support extended by elements of the SLFP to the open campaign conducted by the JVP against the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government and the LTTE.

The JVP is against the Agreement, against any form of devolution. There is no option other than war, if one opts for the JVP solution.

More over, it is against any form of discussions with the LTTE. This is absurd. How could one achieve peace if the combatants do not talk to each other? In such an eventuality, peace would be only at the cost of the defeat of one side. Hence, what the JVP is calling for is a total war against the LTTE.

Not only is such a policy unrealistic, it is suicidal too. Will the SLFP be carried away by the arguments of its junior partner in last years "probation"?

WE have achieved a ceasefire. The next logical step is to begin talks. For that to happen the Agreement should be respected and safeguarded.

Both sides will have to approach talks cautiously and with confidence building measures. It is necessary to be considerate about the problems faced by the other side. It would be better for the LTTE not to supply ammunition to the critics and opponents of the Agreement by rash or careless behaviour. The same goes for the Government.

While the Government should be mindful of and facilitate LTTE attempts to transform itself into a political organization, the LTTE should be mindful of the growing opposition in the South and refrain from taking action that would erode the Southern consensus for peace.

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