Tuesday, 4  February 2003  
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Some national imperatives

As Sri Lanka notches 55 years of political independence today, it could be said to be at a crucial cross-roads. In fact, the country may be described as having entered a decisive phase in its post-independence history. This is mainly because the opportunity is at hand for the peoples of this country to settle the long-festering ethnic conflict and forge ahead to a stable future or slump back collectively into a morass of ethnic discord, civil strife and crippling underdevelopment. The choice is our's.

Although now a cliche, the popular notion that we are now confronted with one of the best opportunities to resolve the ethnic conflict of this country, cannot be denied. Conditions, indeed, couldn't be better for its resolution. The Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE have stepped-down from hardline positions, which stood in the way of peace previously, and are willing to arrive at a compromise solution which would take into account the principal interests of the major communities.

The federal option is being seriously looked at by both parties and the LTTE has expressed willingness to settle for internal self-determination within an united Sri Lanka. It is also willing to compromise on the question of an armed struggle.

All these and more breakthroughs have been possible because the main parties to the conflict have come to recognise the non-viability of the military option. Besides, as has frequently been pointed out, the international community has never been as opposed as it is now to the exercise of terror for the gaining of political ends. In fact, the world community has never been so supportive of peace in Sri Lanka as it is now.

So, Sri Lanka is indeed, at a turning point in its post-independence history. As to whether the correct choice will be made will be determined entirely by the quality of thinking of the country's people and their leaders.

The electoral verdict of December 5th, 2001, was a clear indication that the majority of the people had made significant advances in their thinking and in the nature of their vision for a future Sri Lanka. The fact that they chose the UNF as their future rulers was sufficient proof that they had rejected the then essentially communalistic, chauvinistic slogans of the PA. Communal slogans, which in former times were found to carry some weight, were found to be totally ineffective at the December 5th, 2001 general election. This was one of the earliest indications that our political culture was undergoing some significant changes.

We need hardly re-iterate how the UNF Government has set about fulfilling its mandate. Today, despite some hindrances, the peace process has enabled all Lankans to entertain realistic hopes of a better, conflict-free tomorrow.

Besides voting for a negotiated settlement of the conflict, the Lankan voter on December 5th, 2001, also made the choice of a cohabitational government which would put the national interest above narrow, political and sectional interests and work cooperatively towards the collective good. Executive and legislative arms of government which are more than occasionally at cross-purposes is not what the voter of this country opted for. In fact a state of friction between these arms of government would be a betrayal of the wishes of the people.

The people's wishes on Government-Opposition relations are unlikely to be any different. Endemic power squabbles between these parties would be frowned upon by the public and would meet with the latter's disapproval.

The national interest dictates that the Government and the opposition work cooperatively towards the realisation of peace. It should be realised that power politics, born of confrontation and greed for power, wouldn't lead this country on the path of prosperity and peace. Confrontational politics are self-perpetuating.

No government could consider itself safely installed in power until it works cooperatively with the opposition towards the collective good. This is a national imperative which can no longer be ignored.

www.peaceinsrilanka.org

www.2000plaza.lk

www.eagle.com.lk

www.helpheroes.lk


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