Saturday, 11 October 2003  
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Defusing tensions in Trincomalee

The flaring of ethnic tensions in Trincomalee once again, is a reminder of its persisting vulnerabilities, from the viewpoint of peace-making. Given the controversies surrounding the Eastern Province and its delicate ethnic composition, the region needs to be constantly watched by the law-enforcement authorities, lest those desirous of weakening the peace process exploit its simmering tensions.

Repeated breakdowns in law and order in the Trincomalee district in particular underline its vital importance to most of the key players in the ethnic conflict. These incidents are also a reminder of the need for a comprehensive settlement which would cover the main anxieties of the communities inhabiting the East.

In the short term, however, stringent law enforcement would prove vital in the Eastern Province. Although the immediate cause of the tensions in Alangkulam, which have compelled some 400 families to flee their homesteads, is believed to be a "land dispute", it is plain to see that communal antagonisms have been quite widespread at the scene of the incidents. If this were not so, we would not be having a large-scale exodus of inhabitants from the area. Tensions have apparently spread from individual disputants to a sizeable group of residents. A tendency, therefore, could be said to exist in the region to target collectivities or groups of persons in destabilizing violence.

While all this proves that forces opposed to ethnic reconciliation or "spoiler elements" are constantly active in the region, given the Eastern Province's status as a veritable bone of contention among the parties to the conflict, it is surprising that the lessons of the past have not been learnt by those driving the peace effort.

Let it be pointed out right away that simplistic finger-pointing cannot be engaged in while apportioning blame in these situations. It is not only extremists from among the region's communities who would stand to gain from stirring-up ethnic hostilities in the East. One could think of many other forces who would be benefited by the churning of ethnic tensions. For, those groups and forces opposing the peace effort are varied.

However, speculating on the identity of these subversive forces wouldn't answer our immediate requirement, which is law-enforcement. A failure to enforce the law rigorously, as we have seen, has caused the flames of conflict to spread in double-quick time and this is particularly true of the East.

Therefore, we call on the Government, the LTTE, the SLMM and community leaders of the East to redouble efforts to put in place a law-enforcement and peace promotion mechanism which would prove doubly effective. Apparently, there needs to be a strong civil society component in the promotion of ethnic harmony. Communal and religious leaders of the province need to join hands with the Government to establish durable communal harmony.

Meanwhile, the LTTE besides actively promoting harmony, could prove its bona fides by collaborating harmoniously with the SLMM in solidifying the law and order situation.

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