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Peace Committees to settle minor disputes in N.E

by Senarath Pushpananda and Indeewari Seneviratne

Peace committees comprising representatives of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities will be set up soon to resolve minor disputes and incidents cropping up among civil society in the North and East and counter sinister plans of forces opposed to the peace process.

Western Region Development Minister M.H. Mohamed who disclosed this at a press conference held at his Ministry yesterday said recent incidents in Valachchenai had made it imperative for them to set up these committees urgently.

As such he would initiate discussions with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to expedite the setting up of these peace committees.

Minister Mohamed who held the press conference to explain the outcome of his tour of the East made on the request of the Prime Minister to look into the recent incidents there said during his visit he had extensive talks with LTTE Batticaloa leader Karikalan in Kalmunai regarding the current situation in the East.

The clashes between Muslims and Tamils in Valachchenai had caused immense damage to property belonging to both communities. Steps would be taken soon to assess the damage and pay compensation to the victims. A special programme to foster mutual friendship among the Tamil and Muslim population in the North East would also be launched by the Government.

Referring to the Valachchenai incidents Minister Mohamed said there was no evidence to prove any direct involvement of the LTTE in them. A small misunderstanding between the Muslims and Tamils had led to the clashes with evidence of the sinister hand of a third party fuelling the crisis.

Minister A. R. M. Abdul Cader who accompanied Minister Mohamed on the tour said the LTTE was presently levying taxes on Muslims in the East and during their talks they requested LTTE Batticaloa leader Karikalan to do away with this practice. Karikalan said these taxes were being levied for the upkeep of LTTE cadres in the East who numbered 5,000 and added that the LTTE would be in a position to stop it if the Government introduced an alternative scheme for their sustenance.

Digamadulla District MP Myown Mustapha said the civil society in the East had not lost its hopes for peace despite intermittent crises they are faced with.

Secretary, Ministry of Western Region Development S. Amarasekara was also present at the conference.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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