Peace in Sri Lanka

Ceasefire which was signed two years ago as a confidence building measure will not remain in force if the Sinhala-Buddhist ruling class and politicians fail to come up with the political package, which addresses Tamil national question. This is a result of Sri Lanka's recent development of militant Sinhala-Buddhis nationalism. We should observe

JVP's recent political progress in this background. Howver, current political developonet no way will help Sri Lanka's progress.

Sri Lanka's main Sinhala parties so far failed to settle the Tamil problem. This is an experience of postcolonial Sri Lanka. On the other hand, UNP due to international pressure and its class interest's decided to negotiate with the Tamil Tigers who got tremendous pressure after September 11, 2001. The peace negotiation between the UNP and the LTTE was severely wronged due to lack of commitment from both sides.

Nevertheless, common people in Sri Lanka shared confidence that peace could be achieved if parties were able settle the difficulties with open mind. Sadly, President Kumarathunga who has formed an alliance with the JVP, the party combines of sort of "Marxism" and Sinhala-Nationalism took some drastic measures to derail the peace process.

Sri Lanka cannot achieve economic growth as long as Tamil question remain

unsettled. And solution to the ethnic question should be based on the mechanism of the highly devolved power to the North and east, that is to say fully pledged federal with the

merger of the north and east. The question is SLFP-JVP alliance' sincere commitment to this end. The SLFP-JVP alliance maintains that they will not go for the military solution to settle the Tamil question. However, JVP, Sinhala racist party under the Marxist banners does not stand for the federal solution. The JVP's believes that ethnic question could be settled through the decentralization power to the districts and provinces.

I believe that the causes of the separation should be defeated in following actions:

· Politicians put their own political gaining and self-interests behind the development of the country

· Prepared to treat all Sri Lankans as equal regardless ethnicity and religion

· Promulgate new constitute which gives equal footings, federal structure to devolve the powers, and abolish discrimination to the minorities.

· Strong measures to change the people political culture to reject all form of racism.

These measures seem difficult to be achieved, but if our leaders have guts and political will, these measures would not be impossible mission. It must be told that Sri Lanka does not have leaders who really love their country beyond their own selfish motivation.

Therefore, whoever come to the power on April 2, problem will remain in tact as long as people prepared to refuse these green, blue and red politicians who only aspire political power at any cost.

A. R. M. Imtiyaz

i really think this war is pointless.there are many ways to solve htis.So many, in fact , that i can't name them all.Even though I am a 12 year old girl living in Australia, I know quite a bit about this war because we have recently travelled to Sri Lanka to visit a sponsered child and it was all just rediculous the way they lived.Although, if this war had ended, there may not be as many neede to be sponsered so the poor will have enough to spend on food and medicine.So this war is outrageous!

Arunima

I am very please to know that in sri lankan Government muslim have their due representation. On the contrary the neighbouring India the case is not so, though India has 15 persent muslim population. I appriciate also the steps being taken by both Govermnment and Tamils rebels to make peace in the sri lankan peninsula. My best wishes are with those who are trying to promote peace in the sri lankan entity.

Khalid M Bhatti Helsingor

yes i too believe that tamils need to be given equal rights in the governmetn and in all sectors in Srilanka and peace must be got through talk.

psanto

SL Diaspora and Peace in SL

Since there are hope for a lasting peace in SL. I know many of our SL Diaspora are willing and able to return to contribute to their country of origin with their expertise. I think its is a great idea and we must encourage the Diaspora SL to be part of the peace and development process.But unfortunately, ther is barrier laid by some people of NGO's and Intl Agencies in employing SL diaspora claiming it would be a conflict of interest.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR OPINIONS ON MY

VIEWS. Thank you.

Anan Luckman

War & Children in Sri LanksWhile every one is busy with the war, the children are being destroyed of their future.

According to a study done lately, Sri lanka ranks third in Child prostitution in the world.

Why? cultural taboos, deviance, poverty and corruption are the causes of it.

Parents are selling their own children to western paedophiles and sex tourists for few dollars to feed the family.

On the other hand, children becoming affected by war and end up in the Armed forces, Combatants (Child soldiers), child labour, beggers and destitudes.

SO WE CARE ??? LETS DO SOMETHING..!PLEASE!

Anan Luckman

Colleagues,

We in SL need a sustainable peace with reconcilliation and justice. Only this will eradicate the cancer of violence in our society. Now that the cease-fire is on, people must urge both side leaders to continue committement to peace at this sensitive times. Power struggles can only darken the SL peoples future.Lets look at the past 2yrs since CFA, its only the beginnning of Peace, so lets be dedicated in silencing the guns for ever...atleast for our children's future.

Anan Luckman

Its my humble suggestion for a Peaceful Sri Lanka with a sustainable development leading it to as an economical hub in Asia. Where all Sinhala, Tamil, Muslims, and other minorities live in harmony.
1	We need to replace the SLMM with UN's small Peace-keeping force of specisalist in N & E.



2	Engage in De-escalation process under UN PKF by both GOSL & LTTE.


3	Creat Peace buffer Zones (PBZ) instead of HSZ.


4	Develop and implement rehabilitation programmes of all Combatants.


5	implement Community Development projects.


6	Expat SL to be in technology transfer roles than "unfit suits".

Anan Luckman

It is a very good solution than to fighttingand save thousands of lives.I think if we can find good accord with rebels for political power share that we need one third party observationlike united nations or one powerfull coutry can make pressure if one part or other not respect the accord.

I thank especially all the peace loving singalesee people. I appreciate them not only for supporting peace. There is no real hate within singalese and tamils actually they will be like brothers and sisters once they know each other and the language is being the barrier and politicians have taken advantage of it creating war within communities for their benifit but prime minister is trying to sole the problem with open hart i appreciate it.

Kumar