Archives

LTTE stand conjuring-up ghosts of past failures

by Afreeha Jawad

While the LTTE positions itself to resume peace deliberations with the Government minus Muslim representation, a repetition of yet another majority trying to bulldoze its way by sidelining some other minority, is most evident.

Distribution of food among the displaced in the East

Thamilselvam and his men on arrival from their peace study with counter proposals in hand at the Katunayake airport, before boarding an Airforce helicopter to Jaffna made it quite clear that a Muslim presence was not necessary when talks resume and that they - the Muslims need not entertain any fears.

"History repeats" they say and this exactly was how many years back the Sinhalese leaders assured the Tamils - which assurance fell by the wayside with time's passage. What's most appalling is that the current LTTE stand was the same dictates the LTTE had to face, of course in diverse contexts at the hands of local governments - now vehemently overlooked by them - the LTTE.

Apart from its unjust attitude towards the Muslims who constitute a majority in the East - whose home the East has been as much as the North for the Tamil people - legitimacy apart, moral factors rightfully speaking should necessarily draw LTTE attention towards Muslim participation. It was the Muslim support that facilitated the UNF with sufficient numbers in government formation at the last general elections and had the UNF not triumphed, the LTTE's sealed fate is noteworthy. The LTTE's such current stand is sure to embarrass Wickremesinghe who the LTTE must bear in mind is the LTTE's one and only, fall back state knowing fully well PA's treatment of it. So, slamming the door on the Muslims will make Wickremesinghe's face drop.

If power-sharing was the LTTE's main cry in the face of majoritarian injustice; why takeover from where they left and adopt same on the Eastern Muslim minority? Kicking off with a bad start such as 'no Muslim entry' at future interaction is all bad form. The LTTE must realise that the Muslim factor as stakeholders in any peace effort is not something trivial - certainly not one which warrants overlooking.

Going by current happenings in the Eastern Province, the LTTE in a diplomatic bid seems to be extending some sort of 'cordiality' towards the Muslims whose farmers have even been allowed to cultivate once forbidden paddy fields. Lands as those even in close proximity to its camps have got the green light for such purpose.

But then this is not indicative of an 'all piano' situation for the Muslims in general over there in the East.

The LTTE decision of door shutting on Muslims reveals a high degree of insensitivity towards Muslim feeling - the very insensitivity as earlier stated, majority community had towards the Tamils - all the more important why LTTE should not resort to same.

Whether Wickremesinghe will be assertive in Muslim inclusion notwithstanding LTTE opposition is left to be seen.

As for the LTTE, making things difficult for Wickremesinghe is as bad as having the noose round its own neck. Meanwhile, to be noted are current Southern political developments - what with Muslims of opposing political camps shedding their divisive hues and reaching consensus along with Hakeem in the insistence of Muslim representation which, opposing forces see as a 'wooing measure' of the PA of the Hakeem faction.

Doesn't hold much water any way. While this sort of analysis, more than anything else highlights the Muslim king-making capability, the dumping of political differences is emulation worthy by the Southern parties themselves, yet to sink their differences in peace enunciation.

Instead, we see as in the time of the past regime - of constitution burning, today, strikes, protests and what not stand in UNP's way - a wet blanket in the collective search for peace.

##############

Students from North and South unite in peace

by W. T. J. S. Kaviratne, Ambalangoda special correspondent

'National Peace Council of Sri Lanka', since the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement between the LTTE and the Government, has been exploring avenues to promote inter-ethnic harmony, reconciliation, tolerance of diversity and co-existence through the active participation of the student communities across the ethnic divide.

Young minds and hearts meet from North and South

On the guidance and the assistance of the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka a group of school children from Mannar came to Divitura, a lesser known hamlet in Karandeniya in the Galle district with flood relief for their counterparts affected by the floods.

Within hours the simple folk of Divitura became friendly with the strangers arrived from Mannar and the ignorance of langauge was not a barrier for them to exchange their emotions. The humanitarian mission of the students of Mannar extended towards their fellow students affected by the flood, linked not only the pupils of Mannar with their counterparts in Galle but the elders as well in the two districts.

A few days back I got an opportunity to accompany a large group of pupils, teachers, parents and a few politicians on a tour of Mannar on a peace mission organised by the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka under its 'North-South Student Co-existence Programme'.

Going by the opinions revealed by the participant students before the tour, during their stay in Mannar and on return, massive attitudinal transformations had resulted while dispelling baseless prejudices and conjectures implanted in their minds by extremist politicians in the South.

This three-day programme, comprised of seminars, discussions, field visits to war affected areas of Mannar and refugee camps, provided the participants opportunities to gather first hand information on the futility of war and the benefits of reconciliation and peaceful co-existence.

Bishop of Mannar, Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph addressing the visitors from the Galle district said that he was extremely glad to address a gathering coming on a mission of peace to Mannar. "Children by nature do not harbour hatred against other children and children belonging to all communities of Sri Lanka could live in peace and harmony, he said.

"As a result of two decades of war children of North and East could not enjoy normal life. The children who lived in war-torn areas were totally ignorant of peace as they experienced only bloodshed and bomb blasts, he said.

"Only Sinhalese those children had seen in the North and East were the soldiers and these children believed that all in the Sinhalese community were in uniform and fully armed, he explained.

He said he was happy to observe the opportunities created by this programme on promoting peaceful coexistence among the communities in Mannar.

"By participating in the cultural programme, tolerance of diversity and cultural differences could be cultivated by the pupils of all communities and it could not be disrupted by any party, the Bishop further said.

MP for Galle district, Jayantha Jayaweera said that the arrival of pupils of Mannar district to Galle district with donations during the devastation of floods was significant. He said as a result of war not only the people in the North and the South but the people in the whole country had to undergo numerous hardships.

Pupils from G/Karandeniya Central College, G/Bandula Senadeera College, G/Ambalangoda Sri Devananda College, G/Ambalangoda Dharmasoka College, G/Ampegama Maha Vidyalaya, G/Mahagoda Vidyalaya, G/Ethkandura Sivalie College, G/Yatagala Vidyalaya, G/Divitura Dhammathilaka Vidyalaya and the members of the teaching staff took part in this peace programme to Mannar.

Gayan Rasika - Year 13 pupil of Karandeniya Central College, said that he had a great curiosity to meet pupils of his age group studying in conflict affected areas in the North and the East of the country. He said that he had only the information gathered from mainstream media. As a pupil he was aware certain sections were trying to create disturbances in the country. Any attempt to derail the peace endeavour could not be approved by peace loving persons he said. They should not be allowed to take the country back to war.

Programmes promoting peace such as peace walks, tours to war torn areas, awareness programmes on futility of war and the importance of reconciliation should be launched countrywide, he said. As he had gathered firsthand information over these three days in Mannar district, he said he could carry a message to his friends and neighbours.

Mahesh Sameera, Year 12, Karandeniya Central College, said the tour to Manner district was an eye opener for him. This tour provided him a rare opportunity to see for himself the mode of life of the pupils in Mannar, and the hardships they undergo in receiving their education. He said he knew that war directly caused devastation in the North and East of the country while the rest of the country was indirectly affected.

Nuwan Chanaka, Year 13, Ananda Central College, Elpitiya said during the North-East war, daily, large numbers of youths sacrificed their lives and fortunately that situation had changed for the better during the ceasefire agreement.

Devolution of power could solve the ethnic conflict he said. All communities should be allowed to live peacefully in this country and the mindset should be changed to identify all the communities as Sri Lankans.

Referring to the anti-peace programmes launched in the South he said the proposed PA-JVP coalition ended in failure and this could be attributed to the policies of JVP on the peace endeavour and devolution of power which were not approved by the PA.

JVP had no solutions to the ethnic conflict and never gave alternative solutions to the conflict, he said.

Rakitha Munasinghe, Year 13, Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda said LTTE had gradually resorted to mainstream politics. If LTTE removes all undemocratic activities, the suspicion that prevailed in the South could be lifted soon.

"On resolving this conflict, all political parties should unite," he said. "The struggle to capture power while instigating the masses and igniting communalism could be disgraceful in the eyes of the international community.

P. A. Sriyani, Year 12, G/Bandula Senadeera Vidyalaya, Karandeniya, said, before coming to Mannar she was given a wrong picture about the communities living in Mannar.She could dispel all suspicions and fears after meeting the pupils in Mannar.

Certain sections of the media used to exaggerate the situation in Mannar. Once she returned, she could tell her friends at school that the people living in Mannar were very friendly.

She said that even after her school career, she could attend any programme on peace.

Ms Sindhiya, Year 12, St. Zavier's Girls College, Mannar said as a small girl she underwent numerous hardships during the war. As a girl of 6 years, she could remember how her friend of the same age died outside her house in front of her, due to a bomb blast. The trauma lasted nearly 9 years she said.

Her family was displaced on several occasions and amidst all the problems she got through in GCE (O.L.).

She said she had big hopes of lasting peace in the country. She said before the ceasefire she thought that Sinhalese people were violent and fearful in appearance.

During the ceasefire agreement she could meet a girl from Kurunegala.

Pupils from the Galle district also took part in a familiarisation tour to fishing villages in Thalaimannar, Pesali and Silavatura area.

Low country dances and traditional dance forms were also staged on the last day of the programme.

###########

The papal plea for human hights

by Prof.S.Ratnajeevan H.Hoole

As we explore the idea of a pleasant state where we paradoxically bear the costs of freedom to have more freedom, this past week brought home to us the need for greater tolerance as the liberal ground keeps shrinking rapidly under us.

His Holiness the Pope, John Paul II, on the 25th anniversary of his ascending the Throne of Saint Peter that fell on the 16th, said two things that bear on us in Sri Lanka. Not being a Roman Catholic, perhaps I have the liberty of quoting and promoting the Holy Father here without being accused of religious jingoism.

One, he said, in his address: "Our work will be more incisive when we know how to highlight the face of the Church that loves the poor, that is simple, that takes the side of the weakest in society."

If we read this substituting "Sri Lanka" for "the Church," it would be fittingly applicable to us. The Pope's plea was a plea for human rights. Human rights laws and treaties protect the weak and take away the powers of the majority insofar as they are used to trample on the small fellow.

They protect women and children who are exploited, those without education or food, those in prison, those threatened with genocide, those who write exposing the wickedness of the powerful, those living under errant armed forces, those who espouse unpopular or minority ideas and religious tenets, those caught in the middle between warring forces and in general all who have no one to speak up for them.

In such a state, we have the security of the assurance that if ever we ourselves become weak, we will be protected. It feels good to live in such a state.

The Pope also said (Daily News, Oct. 20) that he and the Church should proclaim their faith to their "dying breath ... Our main commitment is to never shrink from the courage to proclaim the Gospel."

The same day however, Mr. Wimal Weerawansa, the JVP's Media Secretary asserted, "As long as we have people who preach and talk of Christianity, nothing could be achieved". This was the ominous culmination of judgements and a series of articles in the press against the freedom of Christians to preach their religious views.

His sentiments on being rid of Christians are in direct violation of the basic tenet of a rights based approach to development that requires the active, free and meaningful participation of all individuals and groups, specially minorities.

The Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Sri Lanka, in unusual contradiction of the Pope whom they regard as infallible when pronouncing on faith, speaking together as the collective Episcopate, immediately declared that they do not convert people. Surely the Bishops were reacting with fear when they went so far as to contradict the Pope and their Lord and Master's Last Commission so quickly on an occasion that is so personal to the Pope.

As a student in 1971 I had heard rumours that the JVP's policy was that old people and Tamils are naturally conservative and inherently opposed to revolutions, and therefore should be destroyed. It was widely believed but, not having seen any document to support it, I had dismissed it as counter- revolutionary propaganda by the State. This new statement of the Marxist leader about people who even talk of Christianity being an obstacle is very scary and gives credence to old reports of its tendency to ascribe collective blame and collective punishment to communities identified by collective characteristics.

If correct, the growing support for the JVP translates into growing intolerance and Mr. Weerawansa would do well to correct the report if it is wrong.

Adding to the fear engendered by these developments, all my neighbours and I received invitations from the Colpetty Police inviting us to a Vigilance

Committee meeting. In panic I recalled the days recently gone by when every time someone came to spend the night with us, the police would turn up almost immediately with questions. A colleague from Wellawatte on Saturday was equally panic stricken when she reported how two persons, one claiming to be a policeman, came down their street and collected the names of all residents. She loudly wondered whether another 1983 list was being prepared.

Parallel to all these, a newspaper carried horrifying reports from the East which we Tamils are scared to talk of and must, sadly, leave to sensitive, thoughtful Sinhalese to raise.

Thankfully some NGOs like the National Peace Council, after an inexcusable silence, are newly doing this, taking over the job from the Sihala Urumaya which was exploiting the situation to its own ends.

These are all surely signs of a terrible deterioration of civil rights across both sides of the communal division even as the euphoria of peace is trumpeted.

The Government and the LTTE have a duty to address these concerns if they care for ordinary folk. Hopefully they will learn a thing or two from the Holy Father and protect the weakest everywhere.

www.crescat.com

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright © 2003 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager