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In Parliament

Prime Minister striving to re-unite the country, not divide it

by Bharatha Malawararachchi and Ranil Wijayapala

Speaker Joseph Michael Perera presided when Parliament met at 10.00 a.m. on Thursday.

After the presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the adjournment debate on the statement made in Parliament by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on the Donor Conference held in Oslo, Norway.

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse: The opposition requested this debate to air our views on the statement made by the Prime Minister on the Oslo discussion.

In his statement the Prime Minister outlined the success of his visit and the discussions held and the achievements the country gained from that conference.

In my view this discussion in Oslo has failed to bring much result for the benefit of the country. What has the people got from this discussions?

We in the opposition are happy about the ongoing ceasefire.

Everyone needs peace. We all are against the war which ruined this country.

An environment which allow all communities to live in harmony with dignity and respect should be created in this country. Has the country achieved it so far? The LTTE has violated the ceasefire agreement on many occasions by doing acts such as abducting children. While there is an ceasefire agreement the LTTE has continued to strengthen its fire power.

What are the actions the government has taken on those issues?

Has the government taken steps to protect the Buddhist temples and places of worship in the North?

Has the government taken steps to improve the living conditions of the people in North East?

It was during the previous PA regime the steps were taken to improve the infrastructure facilities in those areas.

The government should pay attention to these issues.

On the other hand the government should keep the President informed about the progress of the peace process.

Although there are discussions about a federal system no one really does not know what this system is.

Now the next round of peace talks is going to be held in Germany. People have a right to know about what is going on.

The country needs an honourable peace which ensures justice for all the communities.

Ratnasiri Wickramanayake (PA) seconding the motion said: We must keep in mind that what is at stake is the future of this country.

All have gone through difficult times and violence. But all these times the country has remained one nation. Therefore the territorial integrity of the country should be safeguarded.

For the last two decades, Sri Lanka had to face unprecedented violence and ruthless terrorism. In the South it is true that we did not have any bomb explosions during the last year. But the LTTE has repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement.

You have ignored the importance of neighbouring Indians in a very short sighted manner. This will affect the future of the country.

There is talk of a federal solutions. But nothing is clear.

Does the government know its destination? It's a mystery. Political solutions must be based on democratic principles. Whatever the solution, it should ensure equal rights for all communities. In this context, I say that we should think afresh and take remedial steps to put the House in order.

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Samurdhi S. B. Dissanayaka: I am happy to start the debate on behalf of the government. The Opposition leader and former Prime Minister were careful enough when they expressed their views and to suggest what they have spoken were views of people. The world attention has always been drawn towards statements made by the Opposition leader and the JVP. Therefore, at this decisive, historic moment, we should continue this debate in a responsible manner.

We should give serious thought whether we can build a nationality or we should accept the rights of different ethnic groups and remain as one nation. We are against the division of the country.

For 20 years we engaged in a war. We are now fed up with the war. At one time we laughed. At another time we cried. There was no winner. Only disasters. The Prime Minister is going through the peace negotiations very carefully. We are going through a process to come out of a situation where the country was destroyed by the war. The Prime Minister took this step even knowing that he was not the leader of the country. Therefore every achievement towards peace is a victory for us.

Former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake made remarks that the government is alienating India from the current peace process. But we are keeping India informed about each and every step towards peace. The international community has also commended the peace process.

All parties, the UNP, the SLFP and the leftist parties and even the JVP had done mistakes in the past. But we should determine not to make any mistake at this decisive moment, that would jeopardise the peace process. This is one of the last chances we ever had to settle this problem.

There are allegations that the government is not discussing concrete issues such as disarmament, federal structure, what we are giving and what we are not giving etc. But, when solving an unfortunate problem which prevailed for more than 20 years we should approach the problem, very carefully. We should first build confidence and trust between the two groups. We should not sit for the peace talks as partners of the problem. We should sit for talks as partners of the solution. Therefore I should congratulate Minister Prof. Peiris, Minister Milinda Moragoda and Bernard Goonatileke for their concerted effort in making the peace talks a success.

Wimal Weerawansha (JVP): I am happy to follow the long speech made by Minister S. B. Dissanayaka with full of figures of speech. The Minister expressed his views on the concept of the peace process. But we have to talk about the things that are happening as the ground reality.

The government and the LTTE signed the MoU without consulting the parliament and even the President the Head of State. The senior ministers of the government made contradictory statements over the signing of the MoU. Therefore we believe that things happen in a mysterious way arousing curiosity and suspicions in the minds of the people about the entire peace process.

By signing the MoU the government has given full recognition to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. With the signing of the MoU the LTTE got full authority to act freely. India refused to take part in the Oslo Donor Conference. They only made symbolic representation only at the tea party. India has also expressed their concern over the Japanese involvement at the peace process.

The LTTE is using the peace talks as a arena to build their international image. The government is providing all facilities to them to achieve their target acting according to the agenda of western interests. Minister of Port Development, Shipping and Minister of Eastern Development, Rauff Hakeem: The Oslo peace support conference was held with the concurrence of the Sri Lankan government.

It was an illustration of sincerity rather than illustrating the emotional aspect of division and confrontational politics. According to the sincerity of the government the government was able to get US $ 85 million for urgent humanitarian needs. This money will not be spent for the sole request of the LTTE. A committee has been appointed to identify the urgent humanitarian needs in the North.

These funds will be used to facilitate the resettlement program. We are moving proposals to facilitate the resettling of Muslims in Mannar area. That is why we called the Oslo conference a peace support conference. The actual barometer of the international support for the peace initiative in Sri Lanka will be the Tokyo Donor Conference. The opposition has panicked over this international support and is talking about dissolution of parliament ahead of the Tokyo Donor Conference.

As Muslims, we have our reservation about the ongoing peace talks. The political issues should be discussed at length. Confidence should be strengthened by taking human rights issues for discussion at the peace talks. We should at least begin with agreeing to an agenda relating to human rights issues, since there is serious erosion of confidence in the peace process in respect of human rights.

There was a predictable pattern in minority politics. The Muslims left the national politics with the formation of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress. Every peace attempt was seen as a step towards marginalising Muslims.

At the last peace talks Dr. Anton Balasingham insulted the Muslims. It was not only the leader but the entire community felt insulted. The Muslims should be given proper status at the peace talks as partners of the solution and the Muslims should be identified as a separate and distinct party.

Today the time is ripe to bury all the hatchets and to gather together to solve this crisis.

M. Senadhirajah (TULF): A large number of people have been rendered homeless and become refugees due to the prolonged conflict.

Security forces have taken away the lands of the people for high security zones.

It is regrettable to note the chauvinistic behaviour of a party like JVP when efforts are made to bring a lasting solution to this country. The international community too has commenced the peace process. All the parties should get together to bring peace to this country.

Dinesh Gunawardena (PA): It is very clear that the Oslo talks have failed to bring much success to the country.

The government should look after the people living in the Eastern province and ensure their protection. While the ceasefire agreement is continuing the LTTE has involved in many unlawful activities such as abducting children.

India is the giant in this region. Therefore the role played by India is very much important to achieve success in the peace talks. Government should give serious thought to the issue. Minister of Economic Reform, Science and Technology and Deputy Minister of Policy Development and Plan Implementation, Milinda Moragoda:

In his book from 'Third World to First', Lee Kuan Yew writes about some of our political leaders. Of President Premadasa he relates, "I met him on several occasions in Singapore after he became President and tried to convince him that this conflict could not be solved by force of arms. A political solution was the only way, one considered fair by the Tamils and the rest of the world".

Just over a year ago we entered into what could be long and protracted peace negotiations with the LTTE. We recognised that after twenty years of war we could not win through military means. We had to find another solution and as described by Lee Kuan Yew we opted for a negotiated approach.

From the very start, as Kim Dae Jung, former President of the Republic of Korea said when he made his historic visit to North Korea, we entered this process with "a warm heart and a cool head". When I mentioned this to a foreign colleague of mine, he said: "add a deep breath to that as well." And so we should. Anyone who believes that a twenty year war can be solved through a shallow approach of rhetoric or by military might has not understood the deep complexities of our problem. Unless we possess the genuine desire to build one nation and one people within an equal, fair and tolerant society and unless we are truly committed to strive towards a peaceful solution then we are bound to fail.

Nor can we afford to relax our guard for one moment. It was John F. Kennedy who said in his election address of 1960 that "It is an unfortunate fact that we can secure peace only by preparing for war". The same holds true for our armed forces. Until we have built a lasting trust and cooled the hatred that twenty years of conflict have brought to both sides then we must be prepared for a return to war. We also recognised that talking about a twenty year war only touched the surface of the issue. It has been more like fifty years of ill-conceived social engineering and amateurish political manipulation that has built such a wide divide and suspicion between our communities.

That divide had grown very wide by the sight of mainstream politicians using communal politics and political opportunism for their own purposes. When a political party uses rhetoric to whip up dissent from one community within our society for the purpose of seeking political power then all of us must expect bitterness, hatred and division to follow.

Fifty years ago we were one of the strongest economies in the whole of Asia, today we are a pitiful nation at the bottom of the list. That is what political manipulation, communal politics, opportunism and greed by a few has done for us.

If anyone here believes that this is a recipe for the future then they should look carefully at our people. Respect for this Chamber and the politicians in it has dropped to an all time low. Our people pay lip service to their politicians whilst their contempt has grown for the political culture built up over the past fifty years. We ignore the signs at our peril.

Each government has taken the political initiative and tried to find lasting solutions. Meanwhile, successive oppositions have undercut and destroyed every initiative. In other countries such issues would reach across the political divide and seek consensus. In virtually every other country in the world national politicians take a non partisan approach to questions of national security and conflict resolution. Not so here in Sri Lanka. Winning power at any price and holding onto it with no qualms has become more important to us than seeking to serve the people who elected us.

Perhaps the challenge for all of us in this debate is to lay out clearly and unambiguously what each of us would do if we were in office, rather than to seek to criticise. I wonder if anyone will take up the challenge. It is within this backdrop that we should look at the achievements of the last year. The distrust between different communities, the war fed atrocities; the hatred and the destruction of battle and the deeply divided polity are all issues that the new Government had to overcome.

We even had to overcome the whole question of whether to negotiate or continue the war. Our Prime Minister was clear on his approach, negotiation was the way forward. But even before the election he and the UNP were accused of secret deals with the LTTE. Time has shown that to have been a sham made up by political opponents who were frightened of his new approach. Any real observer of the war and its roots would have seen that such secret deals were not likely or practical. But as has happened so far in our recent history, the politicians sought to mislead the people.

The election was won and very soon after unilateral ceasefires were enacted. The Ceasefire Agreement was never going to be a perfect document. We were just at the start of a ceasefire in which both parties held deep distrust of the other and where every move was treated with the deepest suspicion. There were many things we might have had in the agreement but at that stage getting the two parties to sign a document with demands and obligations placed upon both was a significant achievement. Whatever our detractors might say, the Norwegian facilitators should share the credit for what was a massive achievement. Yet even then there were detractors who wished to argue the commas and the full stops rather than looking at the overall substance of what was being achieved.

At that point we entered into a period of trust building. Indeed this first year of the ceasefire has been about repairing some of the bridges that had been destroyed through decades of political mistakes by all political parties. I remember the early days of the ceasefire where on both sides any failure to meet any aspect of the agreement was seen potentially as a ploy by the other side to manipulate or destroy the fragile truce. Then we had to deal with the issue of de-proscription. There were many of our detractors who did not want us to negotiate with the LTTE and saw our position as legitimising their case. But as the film maker, Robert Altman, once said "You don't change people's ideas through rhetoric but by altering their way of looking at things. You will only get rid of war when you get rid of the pageantry surrounding it." Ultimately the man firing the bullets is the man you have to stop; either military or through negotiations. Talking to a surrogate may be helpful but can never replace the real thing. A piece of legislation that can easily be reversed in one direction can be reversed again if the needs must. But for us to be able to talk to the LTTE the de-proscription notice had to be placed.

That there were issues that arose along the way is easy for all of us to see. Each had to be handled delicately. Each one had to be judged according to the degree of severity and the potential damage it might do to all of our people. Especially important in the early days of the ceasefire was to ensure that our armed forces were protected should an attack happen. Yet they handled the process with exemplary self-control and dignity. Being on the frontline, having experienced the ferocity of the LTTE and having seen their comrades fall in battle, it must have been more difficult for them to understand what we were trying to do and to overcome their instinctive distrust more than most. We are right to be especially proud of the manner in which the armed forces have conducted themselves since the ceasefire agreement.

Again the detractors would have the people believe that we have somehow betrayed the armed forces. I think the opposite. In the air-conditioned comfort of this Chamber it is difficult to imagine what it must have been like on the frontline. A few of our members here have sacrificed loved ones to this brutal war. Many more families from all walks of life have paid dearly for this war whilst the rest of us have looked on. To those families we owe a debt of gratitude which can only ever partly be repaid by stopping the fighting and bringing prosperity to their lives. To our soldiers, sailors, airmen and policemen and women we owe a similar debt which can only be repaid by providing an alternative which brings them above all peace, prosperity and happiness. Our detractors can try to fan the flames of ethnic and religious hatred but I believe our armed forces know better.

Then our detractors would have us believe that the Prime Minister and the Government wish to divide our country. It may be easy for some to forget the past before the ceasefire. Before then if you were to go to the North and East you would have seen a country already divided. A country driven apart as sure as if a border between two countries was already drawn. I invite these detractors to spend some time along the boundary between the so called 'cleared' and the 'uncleared' areas and they will soon realise that what this Government and our Prime Minister are trying to do is to re-unite the country not divide it.

Our detractors love to believe that they are being sold out in every direction, for them the pain and the anguish is not complete unless they can prove that there is no-one left to trust.

So it is when they attack the international community. We must accept that it was the previous government that began the peace process. It was the President who initially invited the Norwegians to become facilitators. With their record of helping in peace negotiations around the world and their reputation for a discrete and dignified approach to facilitation we were pleased to see them help the new government. In this context, we should not be ashamed or insecure to share the credit with the President and the opposition. Our Prime Minister has always been prepared to do this. Despite the Norwegians' non partisan approach and willingness to help, there are some in our community who seek to defile their name with every opportunity. There have been times when we have had differences with the Norwegians. Similarly the LTTE have shown their displeasure at times. That both sides feel uncomfortable from time to time is a sign of true non-partisanship by the Norwegians. Likewise the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission has had its ups and downs with both the Government and the LTTE. Criticism has often come from those who do not seek to inform themselves about the terms of reference under which the Norwegians and the monitoring mission works. One such case is the controversy over the LTTE radio station. That the LTTE could have obtained the equipment by other means if they had wished is carefully ignored by our detractors. The fact that they already operated powerful clandestine radio and TV channels with international affiliates was also ignored. That they chose to use official Sri Lankan channels, hardly a separatist's line, is ignored. Instead the detractors preferred to look at the minutiae rather than the substantive issues. The old saying that one can't see the wood for the trees is very apt in this case.

But the international support that the Prime Minister has built up over the past year has provided us with this golden opportunity to bring about peace.

Never before have we had the support of countries ranging from India, Japan, the European Union, Canada, Australia and the United States. Never before have we had so much goodwill which we are now in the process of translating into concrete economic assistance. Even East Asian countries like Thailand are playing their part in a most innovative manner.

The detractors seek refuge by asking which country is behind us. Then let me tell them. They can seek no refuge there because every country is behind us; every single one. The support is unanimous. Especially because the international community sees Sri Lanka as a shining beacon of hope in an otherwise uncertain world.

The Oslo Donors Conference demonstrated exactly that. It was meant to send a political signal by the bi-lateral donors to the international donor community that Sri Lanka should be helped. The signal was sent loud and clear.

Many ask about India. The Government of Sri Lanka has always stated that India is the cornerstone of our foreign policy and a key plank in our economic policy. In future we hope Sri Lanka will become the gateway to South Asia through India in this modern world. It is in this context that under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe we have a very special relationship with India.

So special that like old friends we undertstand each other well and do not always have to spell out every initiative or action for the other to understand. In fact, I would venture to state that under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, we can afford to take India for granted as they can with us.

Some have viewed with suspicion the new relationship being built with the Japanese in recent times. There is nothing new about our friendship with Japan. Besides our long standing friendship and common cultural ties, Japan is our major donor of foreign aid, granting between US $ 200-300 million in assistance. Japan has now decided to become more engaged in Sri Lanka and we should all be happy and appreciative of this event.

In June we have the opportunity to build on the success of Oslo, when the bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors are brought together in Tokyo to see how Sri Lanka can be helped further. Japan in particular has a special interest in the economic reconstruction of Sri Lanka. This important conference won't just deal with the rebuilding of the battle scarred North and East but will also seek to help the poverty stricken South. By then we hope to finalise a poverty reduction and growth facility (PRGF) from the International Monetary Fund which will provide the initial support to underpin a macro economic framework for engaging international aid. Anyone who tells you that we can re-build the North and the East or drag the South out from its poverty trap without international aid understands little about the seriousness or the depth of the problem.

So, last year was about building a foundation to the peace process. It was about engaging the international community and building an international safety net. It was also about starting to build the trust that had been so lacking for the past twenty or more years. It was also about trying to do all this on a non-partisan basis - a seemingly impossible task in our deeply divided society.

But there is much more to do. We have only just started the trust building measures. Still we eye every each other with caution where once suspicion prevailed. That is progress, but both sides should not seek to hurry into a relationship that is not built on trust and mutual respect.

Sadly, we also have to build trust within our own Government. The people made a momentous choice when they threw a PA President into work with a UNF Government and Prime Minister. For the first time in our short history of independence the people barked a sharp message. Work together or else. It hasn't been easy but the people have given us a unique chance to change the political landscape of our country.

The Prime Minister and I have held meetings with the President. On my part to brief her on the work in the negotiations and for the Prime Minister to discuss the issues and the many approaches available. We must hope that, rhetoric aside; this approach might build into a solid momentum that drives the peace process to a successful conclusion. For we must all realise that neither of the two major political parties in this country can solve this problem alone, regardless of who holds office at a given point of time.

Last year the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister began the work of transforming the military. We are please to have the support of many countries in this respect. International assistance can only help to build a better, more professional force to meet the needs and challenges of the 21st century.

Meanwhile, we have much work to do to keep the momentum of the peace process moving forward. As a Government we shall have to be much better at communicating what we are doing and what the process entails. We have allowed our detractors to remain unanswered on too many issues. Regrettably on many of those issues the criticisms are easy and shallow whilst the explanations are deep and complex.

Take the question of the LTTE disarming. I cannot think of single case where peace has been achieved through negotiations that either side disarmed before a final outcome was reached. The trust simply isn't sufficient at the moment and the battle scars have still to heal completely. Until these things happen neither side will want to drop their guard. To argue otherwise is naive in the extreme.

An example of this comes with the recent controversy of the High Security Zones. We wish to protect our soldiers in these sensitive areas until more trust has been built. But the LTTE wish to see the original residents return to their homes. Until the trust is built and we can find practical solutions to this problem then only time will resolve the issue.

Likewise, we have to see that the ceasefire agreement becomes inviolable. At the recent talks we set up mechanisms to work on this. The SLMM have done a commendable job of monitoring the issues but the time has come to see where the violations occur. Unfortunately, it appears that too many of them are caused by the LTTE. These especially include charges of child conscription, and extortion. The international community too has begun to put pressure on the LTTE in this regard. The Prime Minister's international safety net means that we no longer have to face these challenges alone. In any case unless these incidents come to a halt, the level of trust between the two sides will always be marred.

In January when the Government and the LTTE met in Thailand, a committee was appointed which was made up of the Defence Secretary, the LTTE Eastern Commander and the head of the SLMM. Their task will be to study the monthly SLMM report and to identify the issues and report back to the plenary session. I hope that both sides can work hard together to eliminate these serious infringements to the peace process. In the months ahead I expected the Norwegians will continue to be attacked by our detractors and no doubt the Japanese will also find themselves under criticism. Is this a Sri Lankan trait or a fault of just a few? By now any serious observer will have seen that we plan no surprises, we seek no divisions and we welcome the involvement of all our people.

Our biggest challenge is yet to come. For we have to manage expectations. The people want a permanent peace and settlement quickly. But many think we already have peace at hand and are prematurely euphoric but we must exercise caution and be realistic about the length of time it will take to achieve a lasting peace. It is unrealistic to expect major breakthroughs and good news at every session and every meeting in the peace process. We must expect setbacks from time to time - two steps forward and one step backwards. Our detractors should realise that for most complex problems, there appear to be simple solutions which are most likely unworkable. While a diversity of views is a prerequisite in democracy, inherent in the meaning of democracy is unity, not divisiveness, and that there are shared values and interests for the good of the entire nation first and foremost. Therefore, I would urge those who oppose the peace process to express their views with responsibility and maturity.

In other quarters it is felt that peace alone is not enough. Some say, "we can't eat peace" and they are right. Already their needs are greater. They want three square meals, jobs, education for their children, safe streets from crime and good health. All these things come at a price. Without peace our economy will never bring us prosperity. But without prosperity we cannot be sure of peace.

Step by step we are solving these issues. But the peace process is not the end. It is simply the means to an end. With peace we have to re-build our society, we have to banish the hatred and seek tolerance, we have to feed our people and bring them jobs. Most of all we have to bring equity and justice for all Sri Lankans within a responsible society. Today we have a unique chance. The world is with us. The two parties to the conflict are talking and the people are telling us the politicians to work together.

As Ernest Friedrich, a German who was bold enough to stand against the tyranny of Hitler once said, "I know not of enemies on this side or that, I know only of human beings". For the sake of the people of Sri Lanka now is the time for this Chamber to unite in the common cause of peace.

D. Siddarthan (DPLF):

The MoU signed between the government and the LTTE has given better results. It has stopped the mass killings and destruction of people. The peace process is also going towards the right direction. Our position is that the war should be stopped. Meanwhile these are instances where the two parties are strengthening their forces. People have their doubts whether the peace process will be jeopardised due to the high security zone issue. All these high security zones were set up due to the war.

The people who had been displaced due to war should be resettled. There is a situation where people who took refuge in foreign countries show their reluctance to return to the country.

Minister of Plantations Industries Lakshman Kiriella:

People have voted the government into power expecting a lasting peace for this country.

Our Prime Minister has now laid a firm foundation to establish peace in this country.

There are fears expressed about the federal system. This is not a new thing. It was the Kandyans who first requested a federal system. The lack of a Sri Lankan identity is the main problem of us.

All parties should get together to bring a lasting peace to this country. This may be the last chance for us. We have a duty to correct past mistakes. We should not leave this prolonged problem for the future generations.

We must commend the Prime Minister for the initiatives taken to bring about peace to this country. D.M. Jayaratne (PA):

Everyone in this country want peace to be firmly established in the country.

It is clear that the Government is making every effort to achieve the success in this process. But this should be a genuine peace which fulfils the aspirations of all the communities.

Minister of Highways A.L.M. Athaullah:

All political parties and members should come to an agreement with a view to achieve success in the peace process.

Much attention should be paid to ensure the protection of the Muslim community.

Maithripala Sirisena (PA):

It is the responsibility of everyone to act on peace to the country. In this context, the President and the PA too made attempts to bring about peace to the war-torn island. Although the LTTE has entered into a ceasefire agreement, the Government should be more mindful and should act in a careful manner.

The country today needs a genuine peace.

Minister of Hindu Cultural Affairs T. Maheshwaran: I am happy to express my views on the Oslo peace talks and donor conference. People have breathed sigh of relief with the signing of the MoU. People in the North had to undergo severe difficulties during the war. People in the North lived in their lands with proper titles. Now there is no validity of the titles of their lands. Only High Security Zones is the valid word there. The lands acquired from the people 15 years ago have not been given back to the people. Due to this situation people have to undergo various difficulties. They have lost their wealth, their brothers, and loved ones. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has signed the MoU on behalf of the whole country. The life in the North has not yet returned to normal. Not a single rehabilitation project has been done in the North. People in the North are also paying taxes to the Government. Therefore, they should take action to provide the needs of the people in the North too.

W. D. J. Seneviratne (PA): We have our doubts about the LTTE's commitment bringing a peaceful solution to the ethnic crisis. The Prime Minister has made a positive statement at over the donor conference meeting. The UNP has agreed to discuss a federal system as a solution to the problem. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kuamratunga in her year 2000 proposed constitution presented a same type of solution though not in the name of a federal system.

The people's confidence in the peace process is now eroding at the government has allowed the LTTE to act on their own. No proper action has been taken against child conscription, ransom and other illegal acts. Therefore, people have their doubts about the peace process and the LTTE's commitment in.

Risad Badhiutheen (SLMC): No government for the last 12 years has accepted the Muslim people as a community chased out from the North. Muslims had never gone against the LTTE. The Muslims have been 100 per cent neglected. They have become a section of the people who depend on dry rations of the government. They are also a part of the society. They should be provided with facilities.

Raja Collure (PA): When we are discussing the facts about Oslo conference we also have to recall the things that happened in Oslo as several weeks have already passed. The Oslo conference was held to raise funds for the rehabilitation, resettlement and development of the North. The PA government commenced this process of rehabilitation and resettlement even during the time of the war.

We accept that devolution of power is the only solution towards solving this problem. There should be a bipatisan approach finding a method of devolution of power.

Minister of Agricultural Technology and Crop Productivity Hemakumara Nanayakkara (UNP): There are positive and negative opinions on the current peace process. It is difficult to stop a war which continued for nearly 20 years. But it is a victory to bring the LTTE, the most dangerous guerilla organisation in the world, to negotiation table. The UNF government believes that we can come to a settlement only when we are able to bring armed groups to the democratic process.

Today I have to disagree with my friend Minister T. Maheshwaran. The Treasury has allocated funds for the rehabilitation of roads in the North. People in the North are suffering due to double taxation in the North. We are going through a hard way to achieve our goal. Therefore I request from all not to act aggressively and to act responsibly.

R. Sampanthan (TULF): Today, we are talking about Oslo donor conference. There are many achievements through this donor conference. Both the Government and the LTTE could gain funds for the rehabilitation and development work in the North. Both parties could give a signal to the international community that the peace process is on the correct track.

I would like to respond to some remarks made by some of my good friends. We are aware that children are being recruited to the LTTE. No one is happy about children being recruited to the LTTE. We have already talked to the LTTE in this regard. The LTTE leadership has recently acknowledged that they will desist from recruiting children.

The JVP moves considered the plight of the children when aerial bombings were going on. The LTTE is transforming itself from an armed groups to a political organisation. There is no question about it. It is bound to take time.

Mawai Senadhirajah takes the chair.

Minister Assisting Wanni Rehabilitation Noordeen Masoor: Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was able to apprise the situation of the peace process to the international community at the Oslo donor conference. The funds allocated for the North are now being used through SIHRAN. The Muslims are facing difficulties as this sub committee is using these funds through the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation when resettling people in the North.

The Muslims are ready to fight for their rights if they are deprived of their rights.

The Muslims in the North were thrown chased out their habits. They have been neglected for the past 12 years. They haven't been given relief, they haven't been given jobs.

M. K. D. S. Gunawardena (PA): I urge the Government to take measures to protect and preserve the ancient Buddhist temples and places of worship in the North-East areas.

There should be a genuine peace.

An injustice should not be caused to any community. The Government should ensure the welfare and safety of all communities.

Minister of Samurdhi R. A. D. Sirisena: The prolonged war has caused much damage to the country's economy and social life.

Our Government has a great responsibility to establish peace and also to improve the social status of the people.

During the last year, with the current peace process there was no loss of lives or destruction caused to the properties.

The international community has commended the peace initiative taken by our Government.

The country is now receiving a great deal of foreign aid.

There were several discussions with the international community to obtain foreign aid to develop the country.

The Oslo conference is one such held with countries which are providing assistance to rebuild this devastated country.

The next conference to be held in Japan will also bring much benefits to the country.

All the political parties have a responsibility extending their assistance and support in ensuring peace and prosperity.

The debate is proceeding.

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