"I have been asking the LTTE to come to talks. I have been trying to reach out to them for last three years but there have been no response from their side. I really want the Tamils to live with dignity in Sri Lanka. I have offered to mediate between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Government and bring them into the world community as peacemakers. I am still hopeful that they will respond to my call.”
by Nilantha Ilangamuwa
(October 18. Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a renowned spiritual leader with a multi-faceted humanitarian mission seeking to unite the world’s people into a violence-free family. He has inspired millions of people worldwide. In his conversation with Sri Lanka Guardian’s Nilantha Ilangamuwa he shared his views and efforts for a just resolution of the ethnic crisis.
On the ongoing civil war Sri Sri Ravi Shankar dismissed totally the military solution. He said: “The military offensive is no good option. It will not solve the problem. I know patience is running out. Conflict has been there for too long but still talks and negotiations have to go on."
Born in 1956 in southern India, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s appeals transcend class, race, religion and nationality anywhere and on any issues. Millions of people revere him as their spiritual leader, and follow him to seek inner peace and promoting ecumenical values.
"I have been asking the LTTE to come to talks. I have been trying to reach out to them for last three years but there have been no response from their side. I really want the Tamils to live with dignity in Sri Lanka. I have offered to mediate between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Government and bring them into the world community as peacemakers. I am still hopeful that they will respond to my call,” he said when we asked him if he has any special message for the Sri Lankans, mainly the Tamils who are affected most by the country’s civil war.
Talking on Internal Displaced People (IDPs) in the war the saintly leader said: “This conflict has gone for too long a time. It's high time now to find an amicable solution. A compromise is needed from all the sides involved. I also feel Government of India should take a more proactive role in solving this issue.”
The Tamil Diaspora will have to move out of 'Victim' consciousness to peace building measures. They seem more concerned with their own challenges and their children in their new homelands. They must seek to preserve their cultural identity and assist their folks in Sri Lanka value it and be helpful to bring about peace in Sri Lanka.”
When Sri Lanka Guardian asked him whether the time has come for an international intervention in Sri Lanka, he said: "When things cannot be solved bilaterally by the two parties involved, involvement of a third party to mediate becomes imminent."
- Sri Lanka Guardian
