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Tackling the core issues

Sri Lanka's peace process has now entered a crucial phase. The core issue of a political settlement is being discussed between the negotiators for the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the form of power sharing is being widely debated in various forums around the country.

The key to the discussion has been the setting of the outer parameters for the devolution of power between the center and the region, the negotiators call the areas of "historical habitation" of the Tamil-speaking people of Sri Lanka. This outer boundary is a federal state, which, to the relief of the majority of the people of all communities, will not end up with a division of the country.

This has, in the words of the Government's Chief Negotiator Minister Professor G.L. Peiris set the "trajectory" of future peace talks. Professor Peiris also says the current "conglomeration of circumstances" has given the country the best chance of peace ever since the issue became central to the unification of the country nearly fifty years ago.

At this critical juncture it is most important that the political and ruling elites of the country lead the people in building a national consensus around a final solution to the national question. This consensus needs to be bolstered by clear information given to all sections of the people in a frank and cogent manner so that no section of the citizenry feel left out, or get the impression that some sort of incomprehensible deal is being worked out.

To do so there must emerge a new political culture, a culture of consensus.

Much has been said about this in the past, but little has happened.

We remain a country where political rivals treat each other almost as mortal enemies. Our elections, however minor, are fought unfortunately with bombs and bullets rather than with reasoned arguments that contribute to the national debate on important matters.

This culture has made the work of Parliament difficult. Obstructionism is the order of the day and at a time when new laws or initiatives need to be debated thoroughly, needless bickering has distracted the Members and wasted valuable time.

The real hard work of Parliament takes place behind closed doors in committee rooms where laws are examined in detail, amendments suggested and the functioning of government is minutely scrutinized. This is where MPs get a chance to rise above party politics and contribute towards nation building in a constructive manner.

Unfortunately the committee system is not working as well as it should in Parliament.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stated at the end of the last session of Parliament that this was a time to strengthen the House by creating a culture of consensus. He was right when he noted that this year saw Parliament empowered in a manner not experienced for several decades, but still there is much to be done.

If the country is to seek a permanent peace that will satisfy most sections of the populace, this culture of consensus must be built and carefully nurtured and the discussions conducted in a manner where party politics or individual glory is superseded by national concerns.

The place where such a culture can be built and fostered is in Parliament, and that will contribute immensely to the betterment of our country.

The peace process must be examined and the final solution scrutinized, debated and all views heard in constructing it. But if this, our best chance at peace, is scuttled by inter-party bickering, as have previous efforts at solving the national question, it would be a terrible tragedy.

Now is the time for all the women and men in politics to rise above self and party and contribute constructively. Otherwise they would have failed their people.

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