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by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy South Group Correspondent

Some are demanding that the Norwegians who are mediating in the peace process which has resulted in the ceasefire leave the country. If Norway pulls out of this peace process the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be annulled and war is inevitable. None of those making these demands will join the Army to fight the war.

Those who die or are disabled in war are the village youth, said the Minister of Central Region Development Tissa Attanayake.

He said so as Chief Guest at the Annual Prize Giving of the Asoka Daham Pasala (Sunday School) in Makkanigama in the Kundasale Secretary's Division. He also laid the foundation stone for a new preaching hall at the Makkanigama Asokaramaya. Minister Attanayake graced the occasion at the invitation of the Viharadhipathi of the Makkanigama Asokaramaya Vihara Ven. Chandrawimala Thera.

The Minister said that the present regime has stopped this meaningless war and brought about a temporary ceasefire to find a permanent solution to the ethnic conflict through discussions. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga is in agreement with this peace process and has said that the Norwegian delegation is performing a very difficult task in dealing with a group who had taken up arms for 20 years.

He said there have been minor problems and now Prabakaran is prepared to come to the negotiation table. While we are progressing towards peace with the deaths in action has been reduced to zero. These traitors and saboteurs are putting up posters trying to scuttle the peace process.

He said that these people like the war to resume as they stand to benefit from it but the affected parties are the young men and women who have sacrificed their lives or had been maimed for life.

Children have become destitute. They are the ones who have been affected badly. Those who protest against the ceasefire are the people who like more soldiers to die in the war as they are benefited. The main objective of this government is to put an end to all this and bring about a permanent peace. This will also help us to carry forward the development plans which were at a standstill and improve the living standards of the people.

The Viharadhipathi of the Makkanigama Asokarama Vihara Ven. Uduwe Chandrawimala Thera said that the crime rate increased when education through Daham Schools were stopped. This situation cannot be rectified alone by a single party and other parties too should join in and work with dedication towards achieving this goal.

Amarapura Maha Nikaya Chief Priest Ven. Napana Premasiri Thera said that due to tuition classes there has been a drastic drop in the attendance to Sunday schools.

Parents should take a serious view of this and take remedial action. Daham education is vital for the growing up children and parents should see that their children attend these classes.

Central Province Provincial Council member Mahinda Wijesiri said that the services rendered by this Vihara is highly appreciated by the people of the area and he will endeavour through the Central Provincial Council whatever assistance he could do to upgrade the facilities.

Chairman of the Kundasale Pradeshiya Sabha K. G. Jayatillake, member Jayantha Pushpakumara and CRD Media Co-ordinating Secretary Lal Handapangoda were also present.

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