Successive
Governments have taken initiatives to resolve our national
problem without much success, which points to a weakness
which we need to overcome. However we have the capability,
the values and the commitment to do so. In the past
we may not have demonstrated the political courage to
take the bold decisive steps necessary, and as a result
have failed to improve the quality of life of our people
leading to dashed hopes and aspirations, not to mention
lost opportunities. I regard it as my bounden duty to
do my best with all sincerity and commitment, however
difficult the task is, to strive for peace on behalf
of all our people. I will take whatever measures necessary
to bring peace with honour and justice to my country;
your country; our country.
However, it is not a task that can
be performed only by the President of the country however
powerful the office of the Executive President may be.
Finding a political and constitutional solution to the
national question requires a multi-party effort and
an inclusive approach. We need to devise a home grown
solution with the support of our people. I think it
important that any solution must be underpinned by our
great traditional values and heritage moulded by the
four great religions practiced in our country –
i.e. Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The
core human values of compassion, kindness, understanding,
generosity, forgiveness and trust are ingrained in our
religions and consequently, in us, and must form the
basis for any solution to the national question.
It is also important that we study
the experiments in political and constitutional reform
in other parts of the world, including our region, bearing
in mind our own specificities as well as commonalities.
We must look to other inspiring examples and draw the
appropriate lessons.
I have every confidence that we
will succeed eventually, with the good will and support
of the world community and the determination of our
people. Our success will enable us to hold ourselves
as a good example to the rest of the world in conflict
resolution as there are many more such conflicts around
the world.
Your proposals will be the ones
which will be examined for adoption by the APC. Thus
your role and contribution is critical. I would urge
that your proposals be creative and imaginative. I wish
to take this opportunity to place before you what I
consider to be some elements that need to be encapsulated
in the broad framework for a political and constitutional
solution to the national question.
The international community, notably
India and the Co-Chairs have endorsed our approach -
a solution to the national problem must exclude any
division of the country.
Each party represented here, has
its own solution to the national question. We will discuss
and synthesize these different approaches and develop
our own Sri Lankan model. We must explore all past attempts
from the Bandaranaike - Chelvanayakam pact onwards.
We must draw appropriate lessons from the experience
of other countries. I will not impose a solution on
the country. But in keeping with the sentiments enunciated
in the Mahinda Chinthanaya, you will through your deliberations
provide a broad framework that will generate a consensus
among all parties.
In the settlement of the conflict
we cannot for short term expediency sacrifice our cherished
democratic values and our commitment to the rule of
law. Nor can we ignore the human rights standards sweeping
through every corner of the globe. There is justifiable
cause for our insistence on these issues, arising from
the wanton killings of Tamil political and other Tamil
leaders whose only crime was that they held views contrary
to that of the LTTE. There are other situations where
the fundamental rights of individuals might have been
infringed. We will insist on democratic values, political
pluralism and the tolerance of dissent being established
within the shortest possible time throughout the country.
We will make every effort to advance human rights standards
in every part of this land. The challenge is to evolve
a solution that meets these fundamental basic needs.
The rule of law, basic decency in the conduct of those
in authority are also core values that we must safeguard.
The LTTE will need to respond equally
to these rightful expectations and we hope that the
settlement that we offer will pave the way to embrace
these values which are a norm in all civilized and developed
societies the world over.
People in their own localities must
take charge of their destiny and control their politico-economic
environment. Central decision making that allocates
disproportionate resources has been an issue for a considerable
time. In addition, it is axiomatic that devolution also
needs to address issues relating to identity as well
as security and socio-economic advancement, without
over-reliance on the centre. In this regard, it is also
important to address the question of regional minorities.
In sum, any solution needs to as
a matter of urgency allow people to take charge of their
own destiny. This has been tried out successfully in
many parts of the world. There are many examples from
around the world that we may study as we evolve a truly
Sri Lankan constitutional framework including our immediate
neighbour, India.
Improving the lives of Sri Lankans
all over the country is our ambition. Improving the
lives of the impoverished in the North and the East
is a priority. Having suffered much over these two decades
of a war imposed on them by the LTTE, we must create
a safe, stable and meaningful environment that enables
the impoverished in the North and the East to participate
in economic activity, which will give them the capacity
to progress towards their life ambitions.
The government has committed US$1.25
billion for this purpose and we are encouraging active
private sector and international agency involvement
in the development of the North and the East. Rapid
development is quite achievable within a short time
given the international community’s desire to
engage in the reconstruction effort and the local entrepreneurs’
desire to invest in this area. The government remains
committed to channeling investment funds to the North
and the East. I believe that the beneficiaries of such
development must be the people of the North and the
East. One thing that eludes us is peace. But that is
no justification for prolonging the return of normalcy
or allowing impoverished people to continue in fear
and poverty, whether it be in the conflict-affected
North and the East or the rest of the country. One cannot
take a fatalistic stand that the future will be somehow
and somewhat better for the future generation. Why not
make it happen now?
The solution we offer should be
one that offers an immediate resolution to the ones
affected. It is not enough to keep people waiting in
fear for an uncertain future.
Any solution must be seen to be
good and reasonable enough to address the concerns for
which great suffering has been endured. Large numbers
have sacrificed their lives, lives of many others have
been devastated and resulted in displacement of family
units who have migrated to safer countries to avoid
conflict. Many a mother’s tears have flowed over
the lifeless body of a child killed in this needless
conflict.
It therefore behoves on particularly
the majority community to be proactive in striving for
peace and there must be a demonstration of a well stretched
hand of accommodation. Any solution must therefore address
these expectations as well.
The role of the All Party Representative
Committee as well as, its Panel of Experts is to fashion
creative options that satisfy the minimum expectations
that I had enumerated earlier as well as provide a comprehensive
approach to the resolution of the national question.
I have invited the LTTE to engage itself on this process.
It is only by doing so that the aspirations of the Tamil
people can be addressed, not through streams of blood
and shattered limbs.
There are well-wishers locally and
internationally who will be glad to help with ideas
that address the concerns of both sides. I would also
suggest that the interest groups in our society be invited
to contribute their views in a specified period of time
so that such ideas too may be considered.
In conclusion, I wish the All Party
Representative Committee and its Panel of Experts all
success in their collective endeavour in formulating
a political and constitutional framework for the resolution
of the national question. It is imperative that the
process moves speedily and effectively. After more than
two decades of a protracted, cruel and violent conflict,
the country cannot wait any longer to usher in a just
and a sustainable peace for all peoples of Sri Lanka
irrespective of their place of origin, ethnicity and
religion.
My hope is that this conflict that
has torn brother from brother and sister from sister
can be brought to an end now. Let the soothing thoughts
of peace be a balm in your discussions. Let your work
provide hope to every tear drenched eye and an inspiration
to every flickering dream.
May the blessings of the noble Triple
Gem be with you.
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