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Sustaining the peace process via immediate economic assistance

by Milinda Moragoda

On at least one matter in the 20 year war between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE there is agreement. Both sides recognize that economic and social development will be the key to a lasting peace.

Disagreements, even among members of a family, can become bitter, intractable and deadly. The people of Sri Lanka have lived this truism for nearly all of those 20 years. The conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan Government since 1983 has left over 60,000 dead, and thousands more severely disabled, while causing untold property damage. It has blighted the lives of families, and disrupted the education and productive prospects of two generations of our youth.

Two unrelated events may have contributed to the break in Sri Lanka's cycle of violence that seemed interminable. The first was the attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, which caused universal revulsion at the loss of innocent life. This focused the world's attention on the absolute evil inherent in such acts of mass violence, whatever the motivation.

The second event was the election to office of a new government in Sri Lanka. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had taken the bold decisions to centre his campaign for election on a mandate to end the war through negotiation, rather than by military force.

Although that decision was, in the circumstances, a realistic and pragmatic one, it was politically unacceptable to those who looked upon it as motivated by a policy of appeasement. In the result, a war-weary country responded by endorsing this fresh approach. The people confirmed their support for a negotiated settlement in local government elections some months later by giving Wickremesinghe's Government a handsome victory.

The UNF Government's achievements to date have pushed the peace process further than ever before. An early victory was to secure a ceasefire with the LTTE on December 24 2001 just days after the general election. This was followed by the signing of a permanent ceasefire agreement on 22 February 2002. From the very start the approach taken by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has been a pragmatic step-by-step, confidence building exercise. This has been re-inforced by the determined and unceasing approach taken by the Norwegian Government as facilitators. The breakthrough came when the LTTE and Government agreed to formal peace talks to commence on 16 September. As confidence between the LTTE and Government grows there have been few serious breaches of the Agreement and no deaths.

The very success the Government has achieved so far has created another problem, it must now be on its guard to avoid becoming a victim of that success. Many seem to believe that they already have peace. They would be wrong. Peace lies at the end of long, hard negotiations that have only just begun. What could be more appropriate, if not propitious, than that these negotiations should take place on the soil of Thailand, and under the benevolent wing of its friendly Government.

Cultural and spiritual ties between Sri Lanka and Thailand are centuries old, epitomised in their common allegiance to Theravada Buddhism. Only a few days ago, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe himself observed that when our ancient kings felt the need for spiritual renewal, it was to Thailand that they sent to find inspiration; and that today we follow that tradition in going to Thailand to find the path that will bring back peace to our country.

The task before the Government is a formidable one. As it sets about implementing the stabilization programme prescribed by the IMF and the World Bank, more than hard work and patience will be called for as we embark upon the processes of reconstruction. Fresh resources will be needed to fund massive programmes to resettle some 800,000 internally displaced persons, and a million-and-a-half more who fled the country because of the war, and to assist in their rehabilitation, which would include providing housing, schools and employment for them. Removal of some 1.5 million anti-personnel mines too, will require funds and technologies that lie beyond our capabilities.

Both sides understand the extent and level of the differences that remain. There is no going back however both sides agree, a fact underscored by the losses of life and the misery of 20 years of conflict.

Now as both sides have reached towards peace they have asked for support not later but now. Often what those well meaning but removed not only from the process but from life at the village level fail to understand is the need to demonstrate a benefit to encourage the process through to completion. So often the process rides on a wave of popular support.

With the country's economy shattered, the Government of Sri Lanka cannot meet the cost of these reconstruction and rehabilitation processes from its own resources. Donor countries have shown a willingness to help, yet their aid programmes are directed essentially to the hoped-for post-conflict period, and are not necessarily available now, while the conflict is in the process of being resolved.

There is much that friendly countries can do at this critical juncture. Direct aid, both bilateral and multilateral would make a substantial difference. Technical assistance, including the loan of experts is vital. Market access for Sri Lankan exports would not only help our economy grow; it would attract foreign investment linked to the country's resolute efforts to reform its economy.

Ours was, until recently, a forgotten war. Now we have come to the brink of what we hope will be a lasting and remembered peace.

Remembered by generations of Sri Lankans to come. The Government and the LTTE can say thanks to the Leaders of both sides as well as to the Governments of Norway and Thailand for assisting this process. Both sides understand the extent and the differences that remain. We ask that the world take note of, and afford us support, as we make our determined bid for peace.

(The writer is the Cabinet Minister in charge of Economic Reform, Science and Technology, as well as a member of the Sri Lankan Government negotiating team for the peace talks.)[back]

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