Working together to rebuild tsunami-hit NE, a step towards resolution - President

[May 4, 2005 - 11.00 GMT]

President Kumaratunga yesterday (3rd May 2005) addressed the Religious Committee of the National Advisory Council for Peace and Reconciliation (NACPR). The NACPR is the President’s key mechanism for a consultative process regarding the peace and reconciliation process.

The President thanked the religious leaders for their guidance and reiterated her commitment to reach a negotiated settlement for a lasting peace. She said the recent tsunami catastrophe perhaps was a silver lining in the dark clouds. Within two days of the Tsunami devastating our coastal areas, the President, as part of overseeing the relief and reconstruction efforts, invited the LTTE to be a part of the post tsunami relief efforts.

The President said she believes that it is the duty of a democratic government to see to and address the needs of every citizen. A considerable portion of immediate relief such as food, water, temporary shelters and machinery such as water pumps and tractors were dispatched to the North and East including the uncleared areas which are LTTE dominated.

Today the process of seeking ways and means of engaging the LTTE in the reconstruction of the tsunami devastated infrastructure and rebuilding people’s lives has arrived at a decisive stage. Consultations on this initiative are now ongoing. The LTTE have communicated their desire to work together with the government to accelerate rebuilding the tsunami-hit areas within two kilometers of the coastline in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

The LTTE which fought for twenty years or so for a separate state has for the first time shown a willingness to work with the government and the representatives of the Muslim and Sinhala peoples, while entering the development and reconstruction process in the tsunami affected areas in the North and the East.

The President said she is confident working with the LTTE on tsunami reconstruction will provide a foundation to further our peace efforts. This is an opportunity to build confidence among the government, the LTTE and the Muslim people that the government is committed to solve their problems.

Even before this national tragedy, the Government through its institutional network, the Ministry of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation and the North East Provincial Council, has been engaged in developing war-damaged areas sans much publicity. We have had the co-operation of the LTTE in these efforts. Such development programs of the Ministry of RRR and the NEPC still continue with the support of international relief agencies.

The President said all religions teach tolerance and not violence. She stated that the setting up of a structure where the Government, representatives of the people of the North and East and the LTTE work together would prove to be a constructive step towards the resolution of the ethnic problem.

The President also said this issue went far beyond matters such as the position of Presidency or some Ministerial posts. What was at issue was an extremely important matter of national interest.

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Last Updated Date: May 4, 2005 - 11.00 GMT