Peace Thoughts

On Thursday late night Palitha Kohona was seen reading a French newspaper at his hotel lobby. However, he was interrupted by the Norwegian special envoy Jon Hanssen Bauer. I saw them moving to a corner of the hotel lobby.

I am sure they were taking peace in peace with Swiss hospitality. I also saw Minister Ferial Ashraff, the only female member of the Government delegation walking in to the conference room of the Sri Lankan delegation with the Peace Secretariat staff.

It was late but I am sure they were working on peaceful documents. Then there was Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva preparing his opening statement early morning yesterday. He could not be disturbed. I heard later it would be available even in French and German.

Yesterday Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat Dr Palitha Kohona also had discussions with the person in charge of the LTTE Peace Secretariat S. Puleethevan. I heard Norwegian Special Envoy Jon Hanssen Bauer joined them. It definitely is a good move.

But, our only hope is that Puleethevan learns from this type of meetings and from talks and work towards achieving peace. Tamils like to learn and study and they work hard to reach the top. But, what has happened today ? They are not allowed to learn or study.

The educated people are eliminated. I still remember with respect and affection our close interaction with the late Kethesh Loganathan before the first round of peace talks. We enjoyed friendship thanks to our mutual friend Dayan Jayatilleka.

Peacefully Yours

Bandula Jayasekara in Geneva