Cooperate readily over divides

We hope the sensible decision taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to keep the UNP informed on developments in the North-East would bear fruit in the form of ready cooperation from the Opposition in the resolution of problems faced by Sri Lanka.

As is known, misinformation and rumours are afloat in certain quarters on some issues confronting the State. There is no better way to handle this than by the State taking it upon itself to put the record straight and it is commendable of the President to do this himself. What makes this task so vital is the tendency of most opposition parties and groups to cash in on situations which would make the State uneasy, for the purpose of reaping short-term political gain.

We need not reiterate that such rank opportunism has prevented governments from going ahead with enlightened initiatives aimed at resolving our conflict. This self-defeating, suicidal approach to politics must end. It is time the Opposition cooperated readily and closely with the Government in achieving the common good.

We hope the recent meeting between the President and the UNP would pave the way for sustained, constructive cooperation between the Government and the Opposition on ending our conflict.

We need hardly say that the lack of Opposition cooperation in well-meaning efforts by the State to resolve the National Question by political means, has brought immense suffering to Sri Lanka. This sad State of affairs has continued to date and would be our permanent lot unless and until the Opposition cooperates with the Government in ending the conflict. We hope this time round, the UNP would be liberal with its cooperation to end the problem.

It could very well be that a lack transparency in past peace efforts prevented the Opposition from extending its cooperation readily to the State. This problem could be obviated by the Government keeping the Opposition closely informed on developments relating to the peace effort. The Opposition should even be made a stakeholder or a party to the search for a negotiated settlement. Hopefully, the President's measure of enlightening the Opposition on current problems would lead to this happy state of affairs.

We call on the Opposition to think well beyond narrow, partisan aims. It is amply clear that the follies of the Lankan polity are compelling Sri Lanka to sow a bitter harvest in the form of lost lives, uncertainty, material loss and violence. Does the Opposition wish this to be the case in future too? If not, it must be magnanimous, sincere and far-seeing. It must cooperate with the President in ending our conflict.

In fact a duty is cast on every right-thinking citizen to cooperate with the State in resolving our national problems. The choice is between fear, uncertain and violence and a stable future where the democratic way of life would be a living reality. The State is obviously opting for the latter and it is up to every duty-conscious person to help the President in his constructive endeavours.

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