Tuesday, 25  March 2003  
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Need to take timely action

There is cause for satisfaction as well as worry, for those backing a negotiated political settlement, on scrutinizing the findings of the public opinion poll, conducted by Social Indicator, the social research unit of the Centre for Policy Alternatives.

For instance, although the vast majority of the people (83.7%) believe that peace can be achieved only through negotiations or by peaceful means, the statistics as regards the perception of the Government's commitment to the peace process, couldn't be regarded as encouraging.

While the majority of the people (56.7%) believes that the Government is committed to finding a negotiated solution, the corresponding figure last July was 70.2 per cent. This increase in the number of persons who question the Government's commitment to the peace process should have the latter worried although most Government watchers are unlikely to question the Government's sincerity on this score, knowing fully well the complex nature of the undertaking it has saddled itself with.

Rather than, however, react negatively to this development, the Government would do well to rectify its short-comings on this question, so as to strengthen public confidence in it. As far as we can ascertain, the Government and its agencies should do more by way of conscientizing the public on its peace effort. More grass roots awareness raising is in order and it is, perhaps, the Government's failure to be proactively involved to a greater degree in this effort which is making some question the State's bona fides in this connection.

Another area which needs closer study is the dropping approval ratings for the Norwegian facilitator, among the Sinhala community. Here too, careless, hasty assessments need to be avoided. The reasons for this drop in approval need to be probed and rectified. There is no denying the fact that, the Norwegians, however, are trying their best to hold the scales evenly.

Overall, however, the picture as regards the peace process remains bright. If the majority of the people are continuing to repose their faith in a negotiated settlement, it is clear that the State should confidently forge ahead with the peace process. The opinion climate continues to remain just right for soldiering on with the peace effort, although the public is also likely to welcome concrete, positive results from this endeavour.

We believe that quicker results need to be shown on the ground as regards, for instance, rehabilitation and resettlement activities. Displaced persons and others affected by war need to be speedily provided redress and enabled to lead normal lives. Besides, the rights of all need to be respected and granted. These are a mere few areas where positive results need to be shown if our peace dream is to be realised.

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