Action based on Metta, Karuna, Muditha, Upekkha needed
DR.Vickramabahu Karunaratne -2016-09-08
Having gone through many conflicts and the resultant years of fascistic oppression and suffering, Sri Lankans should know only too well the value of peace. But many do not see from this angle and still a large number look at Mahinda Rajapaksa as a saviour. It is embarrassing to see people rushing to meet Mahinda at the airport with flags and garlands. If we forget such crowds as non-entities, perhaps for the first time, we are in a position to look to the future and expect a prosperous and peaceful future from a point of stability, hope and opportunity.
Sustaining peace is, and must be, the number one priority. But can we talk about such a situation while political prisoners are still lingering in prisons under the Prevention of Terrorism Act? What is the delay and why cannot we go beyond these simple obstacles? The new government took office with a commitment to securing long-term peace and reconciliation, based on the principles of good governance. We were told that while strengthening democratic institutions there will be an end to long years of impunity and inequality. No doubt there is improvement; but the problem of occupied private land, creation of Buddhist temples without any worshippers, and intimidation of officials who take the correct steps for reconciliation should stop forthwith; while action based on Metta, Karuna, Muditha and Upekkha should multiply in all directions.
We believe The Secretariat for Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms (SCRM) was established to help take these priorities forward, and we are told that it is working in close partnership with civil society, including youth and victims of conflict. But radical Tamil leaders do not agree. Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran is dissatisfied. We cannot charge him for extremism and ignore the problems indicated by him. Nor can we ignore what Ms Susindran said recently in Colombo. Hence we are happy to hear, amidst an assurance by President Maithripala Sirisena, that the land issues in the North will be settled within the next three months. The government is to set up a special task force to expedite the resettlement process in the North. The recurrent expenditure for this task force will be approximately Rs 14.5 million while the task force will come under the purview of the Ministry of Resettlement, Reconstruction and Hindu Religious Affairs, and the Secretary to the Ministry will be the Secretary of the task force.
Speaking to media heads Maithripala said that the people in the North were requesting that the land that belonged to them be returned, and therefore as a government it was important to understand the grievances of the people. "They are asking for their own lands. We have achieved remarkable progress on resettlement, but there are a few more problems that need to be resolved," he said. He admitted that there was a delay on part of the State-owned Survey Department because the Department lacks sufficient personnel to fast track the process which will help solve these land related issues. "But despite certain difficulties, we hope to sort out these land related matters within three months," he said. It is no exaggeration to say that this attitude of Maithripala Sirisena changed the thinking of the Secretary General for the UN's support to our nationally led peace building efforts, and in particular the recent commitments that have been made from the UN's Peacebuilding Fund. Our way forward is clear.
