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82% believe in peace talks : Majority of Jaffna people upbeat about job opportunities

The majority of people in Jaffna are upbeat about job opportunities, according to an opinion poll conducted by Social Indicator, a non-governmental organization operating under the Center for Policy Alternatives.

They also feel that all ethnic communities in the country can live in harmony. The poll conducted in December showed that the people are still dissatisfied with humanitarian assistance and government loans schemes the survey found.

The survey which covered populated areas in the Jaffna peninsula between the 11th and 14th of December questioned 320 people.

An overwhelming percentage, 82% believe peace talks is a means to end war in Sri Lanka and there is a decrease in opinion that war means "fighting for rights," the survey found. The respondents also showed an increase in confidence with the Norwegian mediators. In previous surveys conducted by the same survey showed a decline in confidence in the Norwegians. This trend has been reversed, the latest survey showed.

Most of the respondents, around 73% are happy with the outcome of the peace talks up to now.

Around 70% felt that the 20-year sentence passed on LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran would have a negative impact on the peace process.

There is a gradual increase from July last year that the ceasefire will hold, although 50% still are uncertain, the survey said.

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