Business community should urge LTTE to come to negotiating table

Channa Kasturisinghe

PEACE EFFORT: Representatives of the business community have raised fears that the country is moving towards a war following the recent acts of violence by the LTTE targeting security forces and civilians. They have highlighted the need for permanent peace for smooth sailing of their businesses.

They have also raised concerns that a possible war could affect investor confidence and vital industries such as tourism.

However, most of the media campaigns for peace funded by some sections of the business community and non-governmental organisations attempt to promote the view that it is the Government and its supportive political parties which stand in the way of a peaceful solution to the North East problem.

At the same time they attempt to push the Government towards giving into the LTTEs demands in the name of peace. What these businessmen are keen to achieve is peace at whatever cost.

Veteran Tamil politician V. Anandasangaree who addressed journalists at Lake House yesterday said that it is important for the business community represented by various chambers to try to bring the LTTE to the negotiation table if they really want to see a peaceful solution to the issue.

"While being concerned about the security in Colombo, the business community should also sympathise with the innocent Tamil people in areas like Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu who are suffering due to LTTE's repression," Anandasangaree said.

He said the only solution to the North East problems is an Indian model devolution of power to the area.

"I'm confident that this Government can get the support of all the political parties in the South for that kind of a solution. The hardest part is to get the LTTE to accept that reality. And that is exactly what everybody including the business community should strive to achieve," Sangaree said.