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Remove all obstacles to peace talks - People's Peace Front

From Victor Marambage, Talawa group correspondent

The Peoples' Peace Front in a press release signed by D.A.D.N.C. Wimalaratna, Joint Secretary and S.P. Nathan, Co-ordinator, says that "it is very essential to remove all obstacles to peace talks including the ban on the LTTE". The full text of the release is as follows:

The Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed on February 2nd seems to be working very satisfactorily on the whole and the Tamil people of the North and the Sinhala and other people of the South are enjoying its salutary results.

Even though there are accusations on both sides about violations of the ceasefire, they cannot be considered to be so serious. Whilst the LTTE has accused the Government of not fulfilling the conditions of the ceasefire, the Tamil civilians have held demonstrations protesting against the failure on the part of the Army to vacate schools, places of religious worship and public buildings in the North East region. There are also charges to the effect that meaningful steps have not been taken regarding development and bringing civilian life to normalcy in those areas.

Even though no arrests or detections under the Prevention of Terrorism act are taking place under the ceasefire agreement, large number of persons who have been taken into custody under that act are still remaining in custody without any specific charges. There are 07 political prisoners in the custody of the LTTE. Although the safety of all sections of the people in our country has been ensured under the ceasefire agreement, there seems to be a certain amount of threat to that safety as a result of incidents of violence that have been taking place recently in the Eastern province.

Serious charges have been levelled against the LTTE regarding the forcible detention of two members of the ceasefire monitory team in the Iranamadu sea and they too have declared that they would assure that no similar lapses would occur henceforth.

At this point of time when the Government is devoting more attention to the peace process consequent to the ceasefire agreement, there seem to be economic hardships that are having a very adverse effect on all the people of the country in general.

The opposition parties, too seem to be attempting to whip up a strong people's campaign against the Government by aggravating the distrust of the people about the peace efforts, making use of the delay in political discussions, weak economic situation and certain actions of the LTTE.

It is needless to state about the destruction including loss of human lives that took place during a period of war lasting about 20 years. We wish to record our adulation of the Government, the LTTE that took steps to provide relief to the people and free them from that situation even temporarily through the ceasefire agreement and also the Norwegian Government which assisted therein. The international community that was committed to the task of building up such a situation and the peace loving civil organisations of this country too deserve our praise.

We believe that is very essential to remove all osbtacels to peace talks including the ban on the LTTE and to establish an interim administration with a view to consolidating civil administration including development activities in the North East. Discussions for a political settlement should start without further delay if lasting peace is to be achieved.

There should be a participation of all political parties irrespective of party differences if peace is to be achieved for all sections of the people of this country. The Government should take steps to summon the main opposition parties to discuss about political talks and basic policies for a solution. The opposition parties too should refrain from acting in any manner that would be harmful to the atmosphere created through the ceasefire and extend full co-operation to make the peace talks a success.

We wish to appeal to all civil organisations and other sections of the people to work with serious commitment to achieve lasting peace as desired by an overwhelming majority of the people of this country. We work to declare that the People's Peace Front which represents over 150 civil organisations is ready to extend full co-operation to the attempt for achieving lasting peace in this country.

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