Saturday, 5 April 2003  
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The referendum idea

Although finality is yet to be reached on the measure, the Government is said to be considering holding a referendum to re-establish popular backing for its peace effort. If conducted, this would be a timely move to test the views of the people on an issue which holds the key to the country's well being and survival.

Although the electoral verdict of December 5, 2001, made the political preferences of the people abundantly clear and unambiguously underlined their choice for peace by peaceful means, the country could do with yet another popular endorsement of the Government's decision to find a negotiated political settlement of the conflict based on power sharing. While the indications are that the Government's approach to settling the conflict has popular approval, another resounding 'yes' vote could strengthen the hands of the Government even further in relation to the course it has launched to end the National Question.

The referendum could also be considered an useful device to alienate hardline opinion which is currently militating against the sensible course of ending the conflict through a new constitutional structure which would provide for regional autonomy within an united and territorially intact Sri Lanka. A massive mandate for peace within these parameters will boost the Government's peace drive and provide it with the required legitimacy to work towards a federal Sri Lanka. Such an initiative would also defeat, once and for all, misleading, anti-peace propaganda moves by hardline opinion in Southern Sri Lanka.

The Government, we notice, has already taken the initiative to mobilize public opinion in Southern Sri Lanka, if its recent rally in Matara is anything to go by. Such proactive, pro-peace measures need to be carried out relentlessly, countrywide to expand and consolidate an opinion climate which would facilitate the negotiatory process. The State must ensure that it has the backing of all sections of pro-peace opinion, including hat of NGOs and civil society entities that enjoy grass roots links. The latter in turn need to make their presence felt in the public sphere and need to come out boldly for peace by peaceful means.

This could be considered a crucial juncture in post-independence Sri Lanka, "New wine" needs to be poured into and presented in "new wineskins". While some sections of the opposition seem to be campaigning hard on a communalistic plank others seem to be playing desperately on the primordial fears of the majority community with a view to coming to power by hook or by crook. These are old game plans which only succeeded in hurtling the country increasingly into bloodshed and war.

However, a solution based on regional autonomy promises to take the country along a new path of national renewal. This is "new wine" in "new wineskins" which would withstand the test of time. However, it needs to be sold to the people steadfastly.

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