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by Lionel Gulawita, Diriya Foundation

The shops, eating-houses, boutiques, and stalls are reenergised into business. People are full of life and dynamism. They were busy serving the East-bound customers and returnees. The smiles are back on many of the faces. Resurgence in people's activity was in evidence.

And this pleasant environment, our group on a trip to Trincomalee interviewed several dozens of people commencing from Matale town, regarding the current atmosphere of peace. Their answers were prompt and voluntary. Some said somewhat contentedly, that they now live in peace, do business and send their children to school. One shop-keeper commented that peace is their life and hereafter there wouldn't be a war, with peace talks coming round. He empathically added that what they need is a lasting peace and did not want any party to return to war. The result of this limited and unofficial popular opinion poll was one hundred per cent 'no' to war and 'yes' to peace.

Today in the country, a robust and exultant culture of peace has been generated among the people, younger generation, administrators, workers, larger majority of politicians, civil organisations, NGOs, businessmen, smallholders, vendors etc. It's something none of us ever witnessed anytime earlier. It was a sort of spring time after a hard and a long spell of winter. A grand revival of bustling life and activity in towns and villages after 18 years of devastation by war!

This pervading culture speaks loud and clear in no uncertain terms of the grit and fortitude of people yearning for peace they lost. Their resolve is backed by a strong will of wanting to live in harmony without wars. The public opinion, all the signs and precursors, point to a forceful people's thrust evolving to realise their aspiration for peace.

It could be something comparable to people revolt in USSR against the established order of communism and in favour of democracy and social and personal freedoms taught to them, by ex Premier Mikhail Gorbachev in his books, 'Perestroika' (reform of economic and political system) and 'Glasnost' (policy of more open government).

The people have also clearly spoken through the general election on December 5, 2001, and two local government elections on March 20, 2002 and June 20, 2001 consecutively. The people's overwhelming call for peace is the expression of their sovereignty. Beating war drums and or filibustering on the subject by any quarter is hence totally illogical.

The said culture of peace is likely to move further towards an unanticipated environment of increased national harmony in the country, both in the North and South with greater cooperation amongst themselves, the regional administration and the central government.

Peace encompasses everyone in the country. Negative attitude may results in making oneself foreign to the present context. On this issue of peace, building up one's own inflexible reasons to oppose negotiations appears irrational. It would be quite democratic and cultured to act with deference to people's wish and their expressed sovereignty through universal franchise. Sense of reason and general prudence hence call for acceptance and falling in line with the peace process. It is not late yet to join the ranks of peace-loving citizens.

The government marshals support for peace from all members of the Opposition, so as to build up a most dynamic peace front at the talks. It is so great an opportunity and a blessing to be a partner at least in one's mind and attitude towards of the peace process rather than remaining unhappy dissenters all the time.

President has assured full cooperation to the peace initiatives. The world leaders and the international community on the other hand have promised the Prime Minister their active support for peace talks. Lately, the US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said:

"President George W. Bush and Secretary of State, Colin Powel applauded Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during his recent visit to the US for his efforts to end Sri Lanka's civil conflict. US Government would put into action the result of last month's talks between President George W. Bush and Prime Minister. US is a friend of Sri Lanka and would assist her in all possible ways to make peace a reality".

Once hardhearted men have today turned moderate peace seekers. The concerted determination and resolve of the parties are unambiguous. Support for peace talks and development from many sources is forthcoming. The people in the country and friendly nations have expressed and reposed their trust and confidence in Sri Lanka's peace-initiator to make a breakthrough. Today it is therefore much less a secret that peace accord would be a reality.

The people feel certain that the new Government will take them on a fruitful journey into sustainable peace and development.

Sustainable peace

Peace to be sustainable should encompass the following essential domains which sustain, nourish and perpetuate the accord. a. Universality in acceptance of peace accord

The majority in Parliament should accept the peace accord to be reached. Any fear and apprehensions of any political group, community and forum of civil society should be allayed through dialogue on the contents of the Accord before the parties finally sign the document. It would also be useful to publish the draft and invite the opinion or advice of the general public and civil organisations for the provisions set out or and any modalities to implement the draft accord.

Consultations with Ven. Mahanayakes and heads of Hindu and Catholic, Anglican churches will clear many points to ensure nationwide concurrence to the document. b. Norwegian observers to continue

The continuance of observer status of Norwegian observers appear necessary during the period of 'interim administration' and at least 6 months after the peace accord coming into operation. During this period any differences of opinions relating to politics, general administration, development initiatives, navigation, distribution of food etc. are likely to surface. Hence services of Norwegian observers would be of great assistance to advice both the parties and reach amicable settlement thereon. c. Recognition of global environment

The peace accord should recognise international collaboration and global cooperation in trade and investment, defence pacts and general partnership in diplomatic, cultural, economic spheres etc.

The people of all communities should be able to live with full social and personal freedoms they enjoyed before the war. No party is expected to carry on repressive internal cold war in the name of religion or culture. d. Sri Lanka, a unitary state

Sri Lanka should continue to be a democratic and unitary state, with all civil liberties enjoyed by its subjects. The state should honour all human rights, economic and political rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Act of Human Rights and other documents issued by the United Nations Organisation.

After the accord all people should enjoy more and more economic rights. With development through upcoming 5-Economic Commissions taking shape this could be a reality. e. Depoliticisation

The government has already taken action through the Youth Brigade Act to abolish the politicisation the previous government indulged in. In recruitment for employment, land distribution, welfare activity, entry to government schools, granting of loan facilities etc. politicisation should be banished. It is necessary as the government has decided on the Samurdhi benefits issue, to punish miscreants guilt of maltreating any member of public through hatred and on grounds of politics. f. Economic opportunities on fair basis

The Prime Minister's development concepts involve the smallholder who has a significant role to play. Under this policy the economy is to be built up and regulated to protect the smallholders who are the majority in business throughout the island.

Agriculture is the largest sector needed to be industrialised. The fragmentation of cultivatable land into smallholdings should be stopped. This requires a new approach and updated dimension. Subsistence-agriculture remained with us for a long time breeding poverty. It is now timely to revolutionise agriculture as an industry absorbing the subsistence-farmer too into the fold. The distribution of land among the landless in itself does not produce desired results. The head of the family has to share out his land among his sons and daughters making everyone a fractional holder. It would be a more effective policy to make at least some of them partners of development farmlands of more than 500 acres in selected locations under a limited liability enterprise, which in addition to tackling food problem and unemployment could become vast training grounds for youth on agriculture and entrepreneurship. This requires mechanisation, large scale investment and foreign assistance in bringing vast tracts of land into economic utilisation.

The people in the country stand out in readiness for the transformation. The dairy farming, goat/poultry farming, organic manure projects, fruit cultivation, canning factories, crop husbandry, processing of agro products, light/heavy industries etc could come up particularly in the dry zone where land and labour is amply available.

The country has to heavily invest on industries to develop the economy. This has to be done on an accelerated scale. Training of youth for vocations of their choice requires technical institutes to be established in the districts. Like the Youth Brigade being given skill development in Information Technology, and 'Industrial Brigade' needs be brought in to train youth in various technocrafts, which need training and a loan scheme to develop.

In the circumstances, the government's proposal to develop the country under 5 Economic Zones is a colossal program of substantial economic impact for long-term balanced growth. The program to be set up will have the potential to lead Sri Lanka into the NIC (Newly Industrialised Country) and enter world markets under more advantageous terms and leap-frog into the future over trade barriers experienced today.

The investment loans have to be released at low interest on easy terms but subject to an accepted collateral. Allowing preferential credit on grounds of politics is a substantial economic blunder as experienced here and in many developing states abroad. g. Peaceful politics

Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe's exemplary policy of justice and fair play should be hailed as a felicitous culture coming into our national politics. His latest proposal for a Committee on National Priorities, a scheme to make members of opposition too partners of development and decision-making in itself would be an excellent guiding principle of participatory good governance in the future. 

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