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Act now to muster people's power

A long felt need in the peace process was met yesterday when ordinary citizens in vast numbers got onto the streets of Colombo to vividly demonstrate their support for the Government's peace initiative. Until yesterday, the silent majority remained on the sidelines while politicians, for and against the peace process, and some supporters of the latter, tended to take centre-stage.

While those opposed to the peace process have had their say, sometimes through carefully stage-managed public demonstrations, the vast, silent majority, in whose hearts the yearning for peace has been steadily taking root, have been looking on mutely although not passively. This is mainly because they have not been mobilized into actively supporting the peace process. Their energies too have not been harnessed in full by the State and pro-peace people's organisations and civic groups, although there are a number of such organisations which are making a positive contribution to the life of the ordinary masses. However, on the issue of peace, as such, much remains to be done and a beginning was made yesterday when people from all walks of life mustered for peace by peaceful means.

It is not sufficiently realised that for the majority of the people it is only an honourable and durable peace which matters. The so-called core issues, interim administrations and the like are not of immediate concern to the people who have suffered the sorrows and hardships of conflict and war. They would prefer a solution which would be just by all sections of the people. This is the reason why the debanning of the LTTE proved to be a non-event.

Over the years, the people of this country not only bore the torments of war in silence but also learnt with horror the abuses and irregularities which were being committed in the name of the war. The people witnessed in particular, how a few thrived on ill-gotten gains yielded by the war, while their cup of sorrow was filled to overflowing. They learnt, in other words, the truth of the adage that every war is a "dirty war".

So, the Colombo-based pro-war agitationists and demagogues may cry themselves hoarse but the ordinary people will remain unmoved in their conviction that a firm push must be made towards a just peace - a peace which would be fair by every community of this land. It doesn't follow from these observations that the people would be supinely receptive to anything which is realised in the name of peace.

However, the time cannot be riper for the furtherance of the peace effort. The majority of the people are solidly behind the peace process and every effort must be made by the State agencies involved in the peace process and pro-peace civic organisations to channel these popular energies in the correct direction. The people's awareness of the key issues in the peace effort needs to be enhanced and their dynamic energy should be tapped to consolidate the push for a just peace. The public space which the people are now occupying needs to be enlarged and popular participation in the process of positive change further consolidated.

It is only popular pressure which will keep the peace process ticking. This is something civic organisations, and pro-peace groups need to realise. This will happen to the degree to which people are systematically educated on the relevant issues. Besides, much more effort needs to be expended to consolidate a peace culture in the country. Now is the time when these needs could be met. The initiative has to remain with the pro-peace sections of the people. Those advocating a peaceful solution to the conflict cannot postpone the vital task of getting their act together.

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