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Many injustices and wrong doings, which can be put to right by the law, invariably slip through due to inadequate knowledge on the laws of the country, among the average citizen. Creating proper awareness and providing them the necessary relief is a timely need, said Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion and Minister of Constitutional Affairs as Chief Guest at a launching ceremony of a legal aid campaign organized by the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs at the Rajakeeya Madaya Maha Vidyalaya, Polonnaruwa. On the direction of Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris this workshop and forum were organized mainly to educate the people on the existing laws of the country and brief the forces, police officers, officials of the rural authorities, and government officials on the peace process.

The Minister emphasised on the fact that crime rate in the country is on the rise. This is quite evident in the newspapers, on TV and as aired over the radio. Especially in the rural areas simple arguments lead to most murders and crimes committed. During the times Minister Peiris was Minister of Justice the Mediation Boards had played a powerful role in curtailing such crimes through mediation. The present Minister of Justice Hon. V.J.M. Lokubandara too hopes to implement a new programme in this connection. Simple arguments or assaults need not end up in murder or in Court.

It is very important that the public is thorough and well versed on the basics of the existing laws. If there are 05 witnesses, a blank paper and pencil are sufficient to draft one's last will. One may seek legal assistance in the event of sound or air pollution emanating from nearby factories, preparation of food unfit for consumption by hotels or restaurants in unhygienic conditions, losing the opportunity of securing a job purely on merit due to political interference or other reasons and in other similar circumstances.

Briefing on the peace process the Minister stated that during the time of elections the opposition gave light to a number of fabricated stories, with no substance at all. The stories included a partnership between 'tigers and elephants'. Today the whole world has realized who is right and who is wrong. The concept of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to go one step at a time in the peace process has gained international confidence in the government of Sri Lanka, as never before. The government looks forward to converting this goodwill, cooperation and support to monetary resources at the International conference to be held in Oslo on November 25. The objective of this conference is to identify our priority needs and openly communicate same to each country, said the Minister. It has already been intimated that leading countries will be participating in this conference. Mr Richard Armitage - Deputy Secretary of State of the USA will be personally attending the conference in order to explain matters about this small country of ours. The benefits of the peace process are not only for the North East regions.

The funds received following the conference, will be utilised also in the reconstruction of difficult and remote areas specially areas such as Hambantota, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura where drinking water, irrigation works, marketing facilities for agricultural produce are some of the urgent needs. All this can be planned for, only as a result of the peace process. There are groups ready to sabotage this process due to in-built jealousy, anger and hatred. If our conscience is clear, and the country and its people are to benefit, that alone suffices. We only need our sovereign people's blessings.

There is absolutely no purpose in having money if there is war prevailing. The fire that broke out at the oil refineries in Orugodawatte was relayed on worldwide television, on three consecutive days. It was the same with the Katunayake airport incident. Those who witnessed it on TV would never come into this country for investment purposes. Therefore, priority is given to the Hon. Prime Minister's peace process purely due to the fact that there cannot be economic development or progress without peace.

As Dr. Anton Balasingham declared at the initial round of peace talks in Thailand what they expect is protection of the rights of the Tamil-speaking citizens of Sri Lanka through a fair devolution of power, similarly the government too looks in earnest towards a devolution of power without a division of the country, securing the rights of all its people in total fairness to all. The Minister expressed his deepest gratitude to all those heroes of war who helped in the territorial integrity of this country. The Minister also requested all those present to support the peace process having placed their fullest confidence in the government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Minister of Irrigation H. G. P. Nelson expressed his views that earlier it was a case of receiving 3-4 sealed coffins in almost every village. Today the situation is quite different. The families of those serving the forces are today leading peaceful lives. The richest people of Polonnaruwa then, were those who held chairmanships on Provincial Councils. They envy this government. Our people are too educated to be deceived by placard holders, said the Minister.

Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardhena, in his address pointed out that the repercussions of the war were mostly felt in the Polonnaruwa area and border villages. Today there are sighs of relief. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is making a tough journey in search of a solution for a united Sri Lanka, whilst protecting the nations inheritance. In order to accompany him on this journey is another person who has gained recognition not only in this country but internationally, and he is Prof. G. L. Peiris, said the Minister. In conclusion he wished the workshop/forum all success.

There was good participation on this occasion with representation of the people, forces and police in the area. The Minister also distributed among the officers some copies of his publication "Towards Equity". The minister personally met the people, the officers of forces and police and gained first hand knowledge of their views and ideas on the peace process.

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