Differentiating truth from unreality
Discussions about the peace process in the country have taken a new turn with the LTTE pulling out of peace talks. Anyone indulging in discussions on this new trend should do so with great amount of attention to facts and all implications and not based on superficially seen matters which could be so misleading. Especially since the two incidents involving Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena, Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees and Minister of Lands, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, it could be argued that the LTTE is against the peace process.

But this is not the truth. One could also argue that protests in the North by civilians indicate protest against the ceasefire accord. But it is also true that displaced civilians in these areas are yet to be given all facilities. In this situation, we should pay more attention to the unsettled issues of the displaced persons in the North and East and take all measures to speed up processes to ameliorate their suffering. But it remains to be seen whether we are ready to face the truth.

People's opinion
Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris has said that the Government is desirous of assessing the opinion of the people on the Government peace efforts. The Government proposal on interim administration is now being studied by the LTTE. It had from the start of the present impasse, insisted that the interim administration is the only solution to restart peace talks, although it could not be a final solution to the ethnic issue. Whatever the reply to the LTTE is on the Government's proposals, there is a severe opposition in the South for an interim administration. The Muslim community too is anxious about its place in the interim administration. The President's tendency to find fault with the Government proposals is also continuing. Meanwhile, LTTE Political Wing Leader S.P. Thamilchelvam is meeting LTTE regional leaders on the Government proposals and thereafter will consult LTTE Chief Negotiator and Leader of team for peace talks, Dr. Anton Balasingham.

The Government is trying to feel the pulse of the people under these circumstances. The people know the value of peace and they are not going to oppose the peace initiative.        

Let SLMC's effort succeed
The Muslim community is very eager to find out the Muslims’ representation in the Government's proposals on interim administration. It is reported that the LTTE is studying the proposals and after consulting Anton Balasingham in London, a final decision would be taken.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has said that it will meet the President and hold discussions regarding the interim administration proposals in order to get her approval. This effort of the SLMC should be lauded. There are only two main political parties, which have the power to form a Government with the support of the minority parties. It is not an easy task to unite these parties to get a thing done. Fortunately the SLMC is engaged in this stupendous task. We welcome and wish it all success.     

Sending back refugees
Both India and Sri Lanka have agreed not to send back Sri Lankan refugees staying in India until peace returns to this country.  One reason why India intervened in the ethnic issue in Sri Lanka is the influx of Sri Lankan refugees into India.  Even though a ceasefire is holding for the past one and a half years, India did not think of sending back these refugees who number more than one hundred thousand.  Yet there are illegal passages of refugees from time to time.

What could be the reason?  The principal reason could be that they are fed up of refugee life.  No one would like to be a refugee if he can get back to the life he was used to. While those who proceeded to countries other than India had economic concerns and also wanted citizenship in Western countries, those who went to India actually wanted to get away from the situation at home.  There is absolutely no hope of employment for these refugees in India.  They have to remain for ever as refugees in camps. 

Both countries have decided to approach the issue on humanitarian grounds. The Government would not want these families to return just yet, because it cannot send them back to their houses due to the High Security Zones (HSZs) problem. Their return would add to the pressure on the Government to remove HSZs. The question arises as to whether the wishes of these refugees were considered by the two governments before reaching the recent agreement. 

The indecent search for power by the PA
Attempts are being made to change the Government without going for an election at a time when peace talks have stalled.  The PA is impatiently waiting for the Ranil Wickremesinghe Government fall. It is prepared to join with anybody to capture power.  The PA was prepared even to align with the communalist JVP. It didn't mind being branded as communalist in the process.  However, due to infighting for office, the alliance itself got buckled. 

The PA is now trying to find other ways to topple the Government.  One way of doing this is to oust Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and form a national government.  Reports said the PA was trying to rope in senior Minister Karu Jayasuriya, his son in law Naveen Dissanayake and certain other UNP MPs to set up this national government.  The country is in a stage where a peaceful solution has to be found to the ethnic issue that is menacing it. In the circumstances, if such a move to form a national government with dissidents from the UNF Government succeeds, peace initiatives will be seriously harmed.  It is wise for politicians to give up their wrangling for power and concentrate on the future of the country.