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Peace talks catalyst for rapid growth - Prof. G.L. Peiris

by Manjula Fernando and Rajmi Manatunga

Sri Lanka is ready to press on with the initiative gained at the highly successful preliminary round of peace talks in Thailand by converting this into material resources for the country's future development strategy, Cabinet Spokesman Prof. G.L.Peiris told the weekly Cabinet press briefing yesterday.

"The outcome of the peace talks has greatly inspired the international community and earned their confidence. It would stimulate the economic development of the entire country, not only the North-East," he added.

"There is unprecedented goodwill and Sri Lanka is certainly on the radar screen of the world." Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is now converting the international goodwill generated by the outcome of the peace talks into material benefits, the minister said.

The premier is to host a conference of all donor countries within the next two months in Colombo. Canada has already assured its willingness to be in the forefront and support the development effort of Sri Lanka in the wake of the peace process.

A refreshing development is the willingness of the Government and the LTTE to cooperate on the economic front. The identification of these development projects will be done by both parties.

Prof.Peiris said the Thailand Peace talks had brought about a narrowing down effect of contentious issues between the parties.

"Categorical statements were made by LTTE theoretician Dr.Anton Balasingham that their ultimate objective was not a separate state but fulfilment of legitimate aspirations of the Tamil people. He assured the majority Sinhala community that an interim administration would not be a permanent feature but a step along the way to achieve economic stability."

"It became clear at the very outset of the talks that achieving lasting peace is by no means impossible as the positions of the two sides can now be reconciled with each other," Prof.Peiris added.

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