The Indian dimension and peace in Lanka
IT is in the fitness of things that
President Mahinda Rajapakse should choose India for his first State
visit abroad in the capacity of Lanka's Head of State and Government.
Besides the multiplicity of ties which we enjoy with India,
experience has taught us that India is of considerable importance when
it comes to resolving our conflict by political means.
This truth has been brought home to us over the decades in the course
of conducting our foreign policy and today it is no longer disputed that
amicable ties with India would generate a climate which is conducive to
working out a solution to our problem by peaceful means.
Besides being a foremost regional power, India is our closest
neighbour and the "world's largest democracy". It is a time-tested truth
that Sri Lanka should take account of India's sensitivities while
working out a solution to our problem.
We cannot do otherwise because of our close geographical proximity to
India. Common sense dictates the adoption by Sri Lanka of positions on
our conflict which are in consonance with India's susceptibilities.
Besides, India is a thriving democracy. The implications of India's
democratic identity for resolving our conflict are not usually
unravelled by observers but we are happy that President Rajapakse has
underscored the commonalities we share with India in respect of
democratic governance.
He had occasion to dwell on this subject in the course of proposing a
toast at a state banquet hosted by Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul
Kalam.
Sri Lanka's commitment to democratic governance makes it incumbent on
her to seek democratic approaches to resolving her problems.
Over the years, the Lankan State has had no choice but to defend her
national interest and her geographical integrity by adopting law and
order measures but, essentially, Lanka's preference has been to resolve
the ethnic conflict, for instance, through the use of political means
and this accords with our democratic heritage.
India has been exemplary in this respect in this region because her
approach to separatist conflicts has been repeatedly democratic in
character. Essentially, India has met the just aspirations of her
peoples through power devolution within a geographically intact state.
On this issue too President Rajapakse struck accord with India. He
reiterated that Lanka's preference was for a negotiated political
solution to her conflict which would be arrived at through a
transparent, broadly inclusive, consultative process.
This process is, of course, underway and we hope the basis would soon
be laid for the resolution of Lanka's conflict.
This being the case, Sri Lanka would be looking forward to India's
active cooperation in her efforts at arriving at a political solution.
It is no longer disputed that a peaceful North-East Sri Lanka would
be in India's interest too because enhanced separatist tendencies in
North-East Sri Lanka are likely to have serious implications for Tamil
Nadu's internal stability.
Therefore, although India's principled position on resolving Lanka's
conflict by political means is highly welcome, there is no doubt that
the Lankan State would be looking forward to a more proactive role by
India in resolving our conflict. India could, for instance, seriously
consider Co-Chairing the Lankan peace process.
Meanwhile, the Lankan State as well as the LTTE would do well to bear
in mind that decisive efforts must be made to resume the peace process.
As we said yesterday, meaningless haggling over trivial issues must end
and peace talks resumed in earnest.
The Tigers are, of course, proving intransigent but there is no
gainsaying that the push for peace must originate in the State.
The Lankan security forces have done well to be restrained in the
face of grave provocation by the LTTE but it would be well to remember
that every passing minute which is not well utilized is precious from
the point of view of the peace effort. |