UNP must join the APRC - National Question must transcend party politics

Lanka Puthra

DIALOGUE: At the inaugural joint meeting of the All Party Representative Committee and the Panel of Experts on Constitutional Reform, held on July 11 President Mahinda Rajapaksa reached out eloquently to all political parties, and the LTTE, to join hands and engage in a dialogue to reach a consensus to address the causes for the current conflict in Sri Lanka and find a constitutional solution. The President's statesmanship and initiative was warmly welcomed.

The resolution to the conflict must be arrived at, the President stressed, through dialogue, and not through the thunder of cannon, streams of blood and shattered limbs. The search for a political and constitutional solution, he added, must reflect a multi-party effort and an inclusive approach. It must be Home Grown, address the grievances of all our people, and be underpinned by the traditional values of our Buddhist heritage and the influences of other great religions Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity that enrich our land.

The President's appeal found an immediate resonance across the political spectrum. But disappointingly the UNP has opted to stay out of the All Party process. The UNP as the party that received the second largest number of votes at the last elections has a vital role to play in this endeavour which can turn this country around and fulfil the hopes and aspirations of our people for a lasting and honourable peace and a better tomorrow.

It must not flippantly disenfranchise those people who placed their faith in it at the elections for petty party political reasons. The leading opposition party must discharge its national responsibilities with a sense of public duty and not treat this issue as a political football any longer.

UNP's failure to join the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) is a sad dereliction of duty and a betrayal of public expectations. A house in disorder or tottering party leadership, however embarrassing, are not valid excuses. Statesmanship implies vision; seeing the big picture; and suppressing the itch to score petty debating points. The public has hardly any interest in unproductive learned literary drivel at a time of national crisis.

In excluding itself from the APRC, the UNP places itself in the same unenviable company as the LTTE and TNA. Every other major political party is represented in the APRC. The UNP is giving the wrong message particularly to its voter base, of a party that has lost its bearing and sense of destiny with the larger nation.

The USA provides a classic example of political parties transcending party politics to support the President and the State without question in the battle against global terrorism after the 9 /11 bombings. Despite obvious opportunities for party politicking, all American political leaders stood behind their President when the nation was threatened.

In Sri Lanka there is another issue that is coupled with terrorism - ethnic cleansing. While the majority of Tamils live side by side with the Sinhalese and Muslims in harmony in the South, it is sad to note the unending misery and suffering of the Muslims and Sinhalese who were forcibly evicted by the LTTE from the North, and LTTE's continuing efforts to achieve similar outcomes in the East.

The forcible expulsion in 1990 of the entire Muslim population (approx. 60,000) from places such as Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullativu and Mannar with only 48 hours notice, by the LTTE, allowing only a suitcase per family, ranks as an unparalleled crime in the history of this nation.

The overwhelming majority of the evicted Muslims still languish in welfare centres in Puttlam, leading virtually a hand to mouth existence, waiting and hoping to return to their homes. Their plight is not an issue for party politics. Everyone, including the UNP and the civil society must back the Government to re-settle the evicted people preferably in their original homes.

Today our security forces are engaged in heroic battles in the North and the East.

They are fighting against a ruthless foe steeped in unrelenting terrorism, to ensure the integrity of the nation. They are risking their lives so that others may live in peace and comfort in this land. We have a duty as members of a grateful nation to give them our wholehearted support both in word and kind.

Political parties, including the UNP, too must perform their duty. They must join the national effort to counter terrorism and contribute to developing a solution that is just and equitable.