“Solutions cannot found overnight” - Prime Minister
[February 23, 2002 - 10.30 GMT]

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe said that solutions cannot be found overnight to issues, which have proved to be intractable for two decades.

He made these remarks in a speech made in Vavuniya Friday. The occasion was the handing over of the MOU signed by Wickremasinghe to Norwegian Ambassador Jon Westborg.

“The silencing of guns is not peace. It is only a first step. But it is indeed a step that renders negotiations for a settlement more likely and more likely to succeed,” the Prime Minister added.

The full speech of the Prime Minister is as follows:

We face a major challenge in resolving the armed conflict, which has ravaged our country for many years. There have been several attempts in the past to end this conflict through negotiations. None has been successful. Despite short and intermittent periods of negotiations, the cycle of violence has continued virtually unabated for nearly two decades.

We are conscious of the fact that solutions cannot be found overnight to issues, which have proved to be intractable for two decades. We have no illusions. The silencing of guns is not peace. It is only a first step. But it is indeed a step that renders negotiations for a settlement more likely and more likely to succeed. It is a process designed to prepare the ground for the negotiations, which will deal with the substantive issues.

The agreement does not compromise national security in the slightest degree. The armed forces are free to take any steps to protect the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. The Army, Navy and Air Force will have the right to intercept the illegal movement of arms into Sri Lanka. They will have full power and authority and be equipped in every way to repulse any act of aggression or civil disorder. Likewise in regard to law enforcement, the provisions in the Agreement do not detract either from the authority or the capacity of the Police to maintain law and order. Investigations into the commission of offences, the arrest and detention of suspects and the prosecution of offenders will proceed according to law, untrammelled by the provisions of the Agreement.

The Government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of every citizen whether he be Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim or Burgher. The Government is mindful of the apprehensions expressed by the Sinhala and Muslim communities living in the Eastern Province that the Agreement may imperil their personal safety and that their political, social, economic and cultural rights may be infringed. Effective measures will be taken to ensure that there will be no interference with the functioning of Government Departments, other State agencies and local authorities and that civil liberties and human rights will be respected in full measure.

The Muslims of these areas have the firm assurance that conditions will be maintained in which they will continue to occupy their lands and property without hindrance or impediment and that their livelihoods will in no way be disrupted. Moreover, the Government will continue with its initiatives in respect of resettlement of displaced persons. Rapid progress will be made towards normalcy in the North-East. The achievement of peace with dignity for all sections of the people will be the principal aim of the Government in this regard.

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Last Updated Date: February 23, 2002  - 10.30 GMT.