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GL emphasises need for give and take peace process

Constitutional Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris addressing a group of Sri Lankans in Sydney spoke of the need for "give and take" in the current peace process and compared the peace talks to the South African example.

Minister Peiris is currently in Sydney to brief the Australian Government and business leaders on the prospects of peace and the improved investor climate in Sri Lanka

"South Africa had successfully held together diverse nations by conceding certain rights to the denizens, yet maintaining the legitimate controls of a Government" the minister told the packed Auditorium.

Many of the details relating to the peace talks were not clear to the Sri Lankans resident in Australia and they received a first hand account of the details from the Government's Chief negotiator.

The actions taken by the Government in sending essential items to the LTTE controlled areas were explained, together with the resultant positive reaction of the people of these areas.

Prof. Peiris explained the gradual participation by the LTTE in the mainstream legal system and their willingness to accept and recognise the government's legal status.

Several questions were put to the Minister one of which was why the majority Sinhala people were not represented in the talks

Prof. Peiris stated that the Peace Talks represented all Sri Lankans and this was in keeping with the true spirit of the teachings of the Lord Buddha.

Race, birth right, caste were factors that the Lord Buddha asked his deciples to put aside in their lives". If Sri Lanka was to progress as a nation, we must come together as one, not as different races, Prof. Peiris observed.

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