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We should win war by peaceful negotiations- Minister Bakeer Markar

by Chilaw special correspondent

Unlike when the ethnic conflict was raging in the past, no coffins now arrived from the North; no bomb scare or bombs and blockbusters exploded unexpectedly, in cities, buses, etc. And, at long last, authentic peace was dawning in the island. What we must understand is that, we cannot win by fighting, bickering and waging a war, to say the least. We should win only by talking - and through peaceful negotiations, said Minister of Communication Imithiaz Bakeer Markar at the conclusion of a seminar on the "Role of journalists in the modern era" where he pinned media accreditation cards issued by the department of government information on provincial jounralists from the Puttalam district, held at the district secretariat auditorium, Puttalam.

The seminar was jointly organised by the Department of Government Information and the Sri Lanka Press Council.

Minister Markar said, it is no secret that all religious dignitaries such as Buddhist, Catholic, Christian, Muslim and Hindu have blessed the genuine and sincere efforts of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to bring about lasting peace in Sri Lanka. He was voted into power because he demonstrated to the people that he had a clear, distinct and well defined vision to solve the burning issues in the country. So we should resolutely work with him in collaboration to bring about a negotiated settlement, peace and stability in the country.

He said we should focus our mission and forge ahead as one, united country; and not look inconsistently with petty divergent party affiliation and rifts or in terms of colour differences like red, blue, etc. In this manner, we can, on the long run, build an industrious nation.

The Minister said the press enjoyed unbridled freedom unlike in the past. Together with freedom there entailed also one's responsibility to discharge his or her duties properly, so in that sense, there are no restrictions for journalists now.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, A.H.M. Azwer said Minister Imithiaz Bakeer Markar pioneered and paved the way for press freedom. Whatever criticisms some journalists hurled at us, we are not bothered and never wished to make inquiries, If there are shortcomings, we can be enlightened to rectify mistakes.

Minister Azwer said we now happily hear the clarion call from all quarters including the opposition to get together and be united to achieve peace and solidarity. United we stand; divided, we fall. All blocked roads are now open. There was no hindrance to obstruct the path to peace and freedom. We should obviate all impediments and stumbling-blocks to achieve peace and progress in the country.

Puttalam district MP Palitha Ranga Bandara said, we do not wish to harass journalists in any matter. They dispense an invaluable service to the country in providing accurate information. They should be respected. It was through the worthy and upright services of journalists that I was voted into power at the last general elections. They took me to the midst of the people and showed my image and identity and gave me lot of publicity by publishing my pictures for which I am very grateful and I owe a deep debt of gratitude to them. We wish to assist them.

Director of Information Ariya Rubasinghe, journalist N.M. Ameen, Senior Journalist Srimal Fonseka, Journalist and Attorney-at-Law A.M. Dias, Department of Government Information computer technologist Shashi Fernando and several others also spoke.

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