SAFMA calls for collective fight against terrorism

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

COLOMBO: The South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) yesterday called upon all States in South Asia to work for peace and stability in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and collectively fight against the scourge of terrorism.

SAFMA made this call announcing its Colombo Declaration yesterday at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo where hundreds of media persons from South Asian countries were present for the sixth South Asian Free Media Conference on “Media Peace and Poverty Alleviation in South Asia.”

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Opposition MP Lakshman Kiriella were also present on this occasion.

Referring to Sri Lanka’s ongoing conflict, SAFMA President Lakshman Gunasekera said that the need of the hour was to end hostilities.

He also said that he would personally recommend a “fresh ceasefire” for Sri Lanka. “The old Ceasefire Agreement is under serious controversy,” he added.

As stipulated in SAFMA’s Colombo Declaration paragraph 7, “the parties to the conflict in Sri Lanka are urged to restore the ceasefire.” Gunasekera said that they would amend the paragraph.

According to the Declaration, SAFMA will urge India as the immediate neighbouring power to actively support efforts for a lasting negotiated political settlement. The Muslim community in the North Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka should be given equal stakeholder status in all future peace-related activities.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at the closing ceremony said that this conference was enriched with the contribution and deliberations that went on during the last two days and the calibre of speakers and the guest speakers of eminence being able to contribute here undoubtedly has shown the importance of SAFMA both in the local context as well as the regional grouping.

“We had our pleasant meetings and we enjoyed the sessions there in Delhi and the deliberations has stood well in making SAFMA as a regional grouping important and most effective in the regional context of Media. I must also congratulate the Sri Lankan chapter for hosting this event in Sri Lanka devoted for Media Peace and Poverty alleviation, a very contemporary subject to all of us.”

“The speech that was made by my colleague Lakshman Kiriella is a true reflection of the Sri Lankan stand point as a Government devoted for Free Media, a Government advocating conflict resolution and above all seeking a negotiated settlement to a legacy that we have in terms of the conflict in the North,” he said.

The Foreign Minister said: “On one hand having to fight terrorism many a interactions were there on the use of terrorism and its interpretations during the short time I spent here.”

“Our Governments as well as people have stood firm against terrorism and the threats and shocks of it.”

“The best indication of it is that for five years, we have maintained a growth rate of over 6% and in 2006, we registered 7.2% GDP for Sri Lanka and we expect it to grow further. Our exports have grown for 2006 by 8%. Our traditional economic sectors like the plantations have been surpassed by the industrial sector and 82% of the country’s total exports are measured and contributed by the Industrial sectors.”

“It is in that context that we have to look at how the resolutions have to be brought and how we could have sustainable peace in our country. We could address poverty as another area of focus. How we can get the livelihood development in all parts of our country?”

“These are once again the challenges. The purpose of the All Party Representative Committee I am sure during your spell here you all may have been privy to the type of deliberations and the discussions that are very lively in terms of consensus having to be built amongst all of us, diverse opinions. Sri Lanka’s polity is so rich in terms of its democracy.”

“Can we just imagine the status of our APRC having to bring diverse sections where for the first time in Sri Lanka, people have come together irrespective of the party divide and they are trying to work in terms of a lasting formula.”

“It is the Tigers who are killing people. Killing the politicians. They killed my predecessor, Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, killing a former President of Sri Lanka Ranasinghe Premadasa and also a Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi amongst several others. It is the Media that can reflect the true barbarism of terrorism.”

“The world has joined together to denounce terrorism and accepting the need to counter it. Sri Lanka is totally committed to the elimination of terrorism. Zero tolerance in terms of terrorism in Sri Lanka. Whilst we state that you may ask are we going to negotiate with the terrorists.”

“We want to negotiate as much as you all have said here very responsibly that a cessation of hostilities is an important factor when it comes to the LTTE to respond to our need. At the same time we have been always negotiating with the LTTE even in 2006. And even tomorrow our Government is ready to negotiate with the LTTE to bring about a political solution to this conflict.”

“That includes all political parties and all sections of our community, because ultimately, it is they who have to accept a lasting solution, a political solution. So there is a greater duty on the opposition today to look at a very practical approach towards bringing about a lasting solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka.”