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by Christie Fernando, Chilaw special correspondent

Peacemakers manifestly come between the opposing sides to bring about peace and stability in the country - to settle all vexatious issues, once and for all. So, they unfailingly act as prime movers and bear a tremendous responsibility to appease both 'warring' sides at a negotiating table to 'make things happen' in discussing the peace process now at hand, in a more constructive manner.

Already, a lot of humanitarian assistance had been proffered to the war-torn areas for rehabilitation and reconstruction by a compassionate government as well as overseas donors in a big way. So much so, some of the Opposition members have vociferously voiced their concern that funds normally meant for the development of the 'south and west' are being siphoned to the north and east for rehabilitation.

It's worthwhile to bear in mind that in as much as Tamils living in the LTTE-held territories are privileged citizens of the country, so too are all the Sinhala, Muslim and Burgher communities in the rest of the country. Hundreds of Tamils who had migrated from the North and East are now settled down in the Puttalam district. It is reported that they are doing extremely well as businessmen in Chilaw and outskirts of the Puttalam district. It is observed that some Tamils who migrated have put up imposing shops by the main Puttalam-Colombo highway. They have acquired land and built houses, and are permanently settled down in 'so-called' foreign soil. They were assisted by the residents and they sojourn in peaceful co-existence with other Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities without any threat or hindrance.

The Tamils from the North do enjoy authentic freedom and independence in these parts. It is to be noted that exalted notions such as 'self determination' and 'aspirations' of the Tamil people have been accentuated by the Tamil negotiators vis-a-vis the peace talks in Thailand. Predominantly, it was for the realisation of these maxims that the peace process was set in motion.

Doubtless, the "Aspirations" of the Tamil people are being met; the government is in pursuit to make it a reality - to achieve a 'better and more prosperous furture for the Tamil brethren. It is evidently in this context that the government is endeavouring to 'heal the wounds of the past' in a substantial manner. Is there something amiss? The government in earnest, will rectify any mistake inadvertently perpetrated in the past so that it will pave the way for mutual understanding and lasting peace in the island nation.

It's not necessary to harp on this oft-repeated term 'aspirations' of the people as consensus is reached to build up a harmonious and industrious nation, after all.

The LTTE theoretician Mr. Anton Balasingham in the Thai peace talks said the LTTE had their "controlled territories". Yes, we know this scenario. Even in Batticaloa where we visited sometime back, we saw that some areas are no-man's land for the civilians and people could not trespass their territories. What for, is this prohibition? Here, in these parts, anyone can trudge without any apprehension - and the Tamils who arrive from the north and east walk about freely. Now, as all the shackles are obliterated, no more check-points should be there. After all, no civilians (both Sinhala and Tamil) should be prevented from visiting or sight-seeing in the north and east.

The latest information I have about Jaffna is that the residents of Jaffna warmly welcome the Sinhala people and they have rooms to let for visitors in their houses, paying a nominal sum; even meals are provided. What a welcome gesture! Another feature is the bartering or trading of cars to residents in Jaffna. I know a person who deals in selling of cars to Northerners. Roads are being improved and citizens should be able to trek around unencumbered and unhampered.

In the same manner, districts like Kilinochchi and other 'clozed-up' Wanni territories should be open for visitors from these parts. It's opportune at this juncture for the Sinhala people to go and meet their long lost and 'separated brethren' without any fear or danger. This peaceful atmosphere should be created as any northern or eastern visitors harbour no trepidation to visit or live in these parts even for months. It's no secret that in the past, the Tamils cohabited with the Sinhalese without any discrimination. So the time is ripe for healthy camaraderie, brotherliness and fellowship to pervade among all eschewing petty differences. Some residents of Chilaw who had gone and spent a few days in Jaffna told me they were welcome with 'open arms' and they were treated so well, and even much better than their Sinhala counterparts, here, and were asked to come again.

This healthy exchange to cement ties and bonds of closeness and affinity is vital to build up unity and amity among all. In the past, I had visited Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee several times and seen the beautiful islands dotted in the outer periphery in Jaffna.

I knew in vintage times, the Jaffna youth used to come cycling all the way from Jaffna to Chilaw. They had nurtured friendly ties with the Chilaw people. Those enticing, aromatic black 'Jaffna cigars' were in vogue and were in incessant demand, way back in the 1940's and 50's; and there was, I remember a Jaffna cigar shop in Chilaw; and also a popular shop for Jaffna shoes, in Chilaw town. In the 1960's, I had gone and stayed with Jaffna families.

They were so kind and generous. And what about Jaffna mangoes! Jaffna mangoes are tastier. A mango sapling brought from Jaffna by my father-in-law and planted in my house compound has burgeoned into a massive tree, and it bears large, papaw-sized mangoes twice year. It's in great demand by mango collectors. I have sleepless nights, when mangoes are ripe because naughty boys in the vicinity pelt stones at the tree.

They become a nuisance, being greedy to grab plump, juicy Jaffna mangoes. And so, meeting and 'talking to' 'our brethren' left aloof for two decades, will be a desirable gesture. And why not? So, all checks and curbs and regulations should be extirpated and eliminated overnight. Why should anyone check the bona fides of ordinary citizens? Here, in these parts, we are not subjected to checks. And should the LTTE cadres who are manning so many check-points while guarding their territories, scrutinise the civilians all the time? If this is the case, people will not like to move out and see the 'other side' of the country. They will then prefer to live as coyly and comfortably here as before.

With such an unconducive atmosphere, it's well-nigh risky for the casual visitors to venture to the northern territories.

So, it is up to the LTTE to initiate steps to remove all visible barriers so that anyone could go and stay in the LTTE-held territories at least for a day or two to reciprocate and interchange mutual love and trust, and above all build healthy relationships that would last for ages. In this fashion, they too in return, can travel to these parts when they wish, to reciprocate their mutual love and friendship with the Sinhala brethren.

It's my contention that the Sinhala, Muslim and Burgher people who are citizens of the country, should also be allowed to buy land, put up shops, and even settle down in the north and east without bias as the Tamils do here, I think it's but fair and justifiable. So many Jaffna people have bought lot of land and houses in Chilaw recently.

Why should you stop them? This should be a tangible alternative for intermixing and amalgamation of communities as in the past.

Seeming intransigence is there to move freely in the northern territories, which are still not 'open' properly or legitimately though the roads have been reopened for the public - still restrictions are in force, and conditions may not be conducive for free movement in the north and east. If not, let it be known or become transparent from time to time, how things develop, for people to mix freely and travel about even in the so-called LTTE held territories, which are said to comprise significantly extensive 'territories'.

Citing an example, I would like to relate my own experience of visiting Jaffna and the enchanting islands dotted in the periphery of Jaffna in the 1950's. In those halcyon days, I had visited Jaffna several times for sight-seeing and on pilgrimage. Can we go as freely as in those days without any threat or impediment? If not, conditions should be made favourable for people to visit any place in the north or east.

If the Sinhalese in the south can freely travel without discrimination to any part of the LTTE held territories without any panic, fear or anxiety, and also transact business and trade, then, without the least doubt, I can gainsay there will be peace and progress in the country. People should be able to interact and transact business and walk the length and breadth of the country as in the bygone days when there was no turmoil. It's well known that the people of Jaffna had a close affinity with those of the Wayamba province and chiefly Colombo and its suburbs for purposes of trade and commerce for a long period of time.

Still, the Tamils in these areas continue to transact business and wish to establish strong cultural connections with the north to improve their relationships. For such mutual ties to exist, unwieldy restrictions and taboos should be lifted overnight. I remember that shoe-making industry was carried out in a big scale in Jaffna and there were excellent shoe-makers who were making a bee-line to Chilaw from Jaffna. Now those shoe-making mini factories are no more to be seen in Chilaw.

The LTTE are now doubly sure, there will be no escalations of any conflict of any sort in the foreseeable future - and they have vouched never to wage war again. There will never be a repetition of any war in the future - and a sound foundation is being laid to establish authentic and lasting peace in the country. The futility of a protracted war that continued for 19 years, is a thing of the past. All have realised it was vain and futile. And constructive measures are thought of, never to 'fall into the same pitfalls' again or least of all, start a bloody, useless war once again. And why should we fight once again? - for what gains? Is it to annihilate the country and decimate thousands of innocent men and women in the crossfire and dislodge the civilian population? This should never ever happen again or come to pass in our beloved land called 'the pearl of east', is my firm and unfeigned belief.

There is no doubt that people in the north and east now live with self-determination to achieve peace. In the past too, they lived separately. So there's no apparent difference, discrimination or inequality against them at the moment. Bygones are bygones; what is past is past and it will not come to pass again.

Already, a spirit of camaraderie, brotherliness and fellowship is being cultivated never to put it asunder. The climate is there to build a comradeship to co-exist as one family, eschewing petty dissimilarities and distinctions. We have nothing to fear. All avenues are open; all obstructions and barriers are precluded, to eliminate divisions for dawning of perpetual harmony and amity among all communities and live in peace.

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