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| Thursday, 20 January 2005 |
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The Lanka Sama Samaja Party, in a news release issued yesterday, appealed to the LTTE to favourably respond to any Government initiative for the establishment of the necessary machinery for the distribution of relief. "The LSSP is of the view that the loss and destruction caused by the tsunami is manageable and that in a truly national endeavour to get over it there is ample space for political parties - those of the Government and the Opposition - to work together with set goals," it said. The news release:" "The sudden collapse of our world caused by the tsunami has brought out the best in our people in their effort to help the direct victims to cope with the tragedy that has entered each one's life. A government caught unawares has matched its efforts with what was demanded by the incredible situation. It was a moment of truth when political differences were put aside and all hands reached out to help. The comforting through of the global village was shattered to pieces. That was so thoughout the region. "There is no want of harping on the theme that we must all get together to rebuild the country. The provision of relief to the tsunami victims and their rehabilitation though undoubtedly urgent and important do not by themselves constitute the rebuilding of the country. What is needed is not merely town planning for the coastal belt. It is the rebuilding of a nation that is called for. The Lanka Sama Samaja Party has a right to point to the fact that we have lived as a divided nation for over two decades and we have been called upon to pay the price for that. We have failed to bring peace to the country. It is idle to tell political parties that have failed to sink their differences in the face of this continuing national crisis to act differently now. The LSSP is of the position that the people of the north and the east affected by the tsunami have an equal right as those of the west and the south to demand from the government its utmost attention to their immediate plight. The LSSP is aware that the government has made every effort available to it to get necessary relief to the north and the east but that in respect of the north there has been a logistics problem in getting the relief across without the official involvement of the LTTE. In such a situation the LSSP requests the LTTE to favourably respond to any government initiative in regard to establishment of the necessary machinery for the distribution of relief and other associated activities. It is encouraging to note that in the Trincomalee district government officials and LTTE cadre have sat together on the supply of relief to the region. The LSSP calls upon the government to reach out to the LTTE on establishing common administrative machinery for the purposes of relief and reconstruction in the areas under LTTE control. This need not await the setting up of the interim administration, which the LTTE wants discussed. The machinery the LSSP proposes can be a necessary part of the work under the cease fire MoU. "The LSSP is also of the position that the planning of relief and reconstruction and the implementation of this should not be treated as a preserve of the government and that all political parties should be brought into this process. We are of the view that it should be made possible for a Parliamentary select Committee to be involved in the monitoring of this work. The resources made available for relief and reconstruction by foreign countries and their disbursement should also come within the purview of this Select Committee. This should help to mobilize parties and people in a national effort to help us overcome our tragedy. "We wish to remind ourselves of the fact that our entire fishing industry has been severely affected by the tsunami. Most affected are those who had engaged in fishing through traditional technology, which remained so despite the addition of a motor to the fishing vessel. Their entire infrastructure, which includes their makeshift housing and the manpower needed to draw in the nets have been displaced or destroyed. With them relief should include not only subsistence but must extend to the immediate restoration of their equipment and infrastructure. It goes without saying that in this respect bureaucratic attitudes must be shunned. "We do not think that it is satisfactory to leave the tasks involved to be attended to by the respective ministries alone. Nor do we think that a Task Force is an answer to the need. Task Forces are machinery appointed to carry through decisions. The question that arises is in relation to this decision that are to be implemented. We are of the view that the whole Cabinet should be involved in decision making either directly or through sub-committees. What has to be implemented are concrete plans and not mere ideas or visions," the massage said.
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