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A timely boost for peace

The cordial handshake between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and LTTE's chief negotiator Dr. Anton Balasingham at the Holmenkollen Park Hotel in Oslo on Sunday, besides adding more warmth into Government of Sri Lanka - LTTE relations, symbolised the considerable distance Sri Lanka has travelled on the road to peace. In the task of finding peace by peaceful means, such seemingly formal gestures go a long way, particularly when they help establish new relationships or contribute towards upgrading existing ones. The truth is that the Lankan peace process has progressed in gradual degrees to the point where it is possible for the Lankan Premier to have face-to-face talks with members of the LTTE leadership.

This was not possible over the past twelve years. Given the obvious truth that peace has to be finally brokered between the leadership of once warring sides, the Lankan Premier's meeting with the LTTE's chief negotiator could be considered as marking the beginning of a qualitatively new phase in the peace process.

There is also evidence in these developments that the Lankan Premier is willing to go the extra mile to promote the peace process. There is no alternative to the Lankan political leadership's personal and physical intervention in pushing the peace process forward. Such actions demonstrate in ample measure the commitment and personal dedication of the relevant leaders to the peace process. Besides, they demonstrate the degree to which the leadership will be willing to hold itself accountable for the durability of the negotiatory process. We do not believe the cause of peace could be advanced by political leaders who wish to remain aloof from the process of personal negotiations. There is much truth in the popular saying that peace among former adversaries begins with a smile and a handshake.

These positives need to be built on. Hopefully, the world community would extend its cooperation to the challenge of rebuilding Sri Lanka. While the Lankan parties should not only keep their dialogue going but seek to further consolidate the ceasefire agreement through these close consultations, the international community needs to provide ample financial and material resources for projects revolving around the three Rs - Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement.

The world community, we hope, would be in the process of realising the importance of cooperating in bringing normalcy to the North-East as quickly as possible. The Marshall Plan at the end of the Second World War, not only helped in rehabilitating the economy of war-ravaged Germany, but also contributed towards its integration into the international community once again. There has been no turning back for Germany since then. Today, it is one of the foremost industrial powers of the world.

There is a need for a similar resuscitation plan for Lanka's North-East, although on not so vast a scale. It is only the possibility of leading a perfectly normal and contented life which would prevent the youth of this country from experimenting with armed insurrections once again. Such hopes could only be realised through rapid development of the country. This is the reason why the international community needs to respond swiftly to Lanka's needs.

Meanwhile, the Lankan parties need to make steady progress in the work devolving on the joint GoSL - LTTE sub-committees, which have been formed. Miracles cannot be expected but consistent progress needs to be made by these committees if donor support for our rejuvenation is to be forthcoming.

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