Home Grown solution

“Home Grown solution” for peace and prosperity” and National Consensus (OR) 13 (+) and 13 (-)
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By Sarath Wijesinghe

Home Grown Solution

(July 04, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The foundation for a stable and everlasting “Home Grown Solution” was laid down on 2nd July 2009, at Temple Trees with the participation of 23 political parties in which UNP,JVP, and TNA too participated- the crucial and decisive political groups in the country. President Rajapaksa brought peace in nearly three years by crushing LTTE the most powerful and feared terrorist outfit. It was almost a miracle and nobody believed the crush of LTTE until it was physically eliminated. Now it is time to bring about the prosperity and economic stability which is an equally difficult task, which is possible with same hard work, vision and dedication, which the president has proved to the fellow citizens and world over.

Every Nation has problems unique to themselves, for which the solution should be found which satisfies every citizen and arrived at peacefully based on indigenous solutions for a fair reasonable and everlasting solution. (Please read the article by the author on 18th November Daily News on National consensus and Home Grown Solution for peace initiate). Our immediate problem is the issue of the “Internationally Displaced” according to international law of 300,000 of our fellow citizens who are homeless due to the 30 year terror campaign by misguided fellow citizens who are responsible to the destruction of the wealth, future, and happiness of all citizens and has become a threat to world peace.

Internationally displaced or locally displaced

IDP’s are common in war and conflict zones. They are in millions in Asia and Africa in miserable conditions. They are people displaced due to international conflicts. In a way our brethrens too were displaced due to indirect intervention of the international community by helping the LTTE paused as freedom fighters misguiding the world with powerful front organizations and enormous funds. Our brethrens are not IDP’s they are LDP’s – locally displaced citizens due to terror of LTTE, consist of a majority of citizens of the North, which is one of the issues on the 13th amendment which is a constitutional arrangement implemented based on the Indu Sri Lanka Accord and Indian Provincial States. East is completely liberated and democracy established peoples as well as the land are complicatedly liberated-. It is the “Rice Bowl” of the Nation and the most productive area in the country with the beautiful and natural harbor, virgin and fertile land, which today is managed by indigenous people consisting of all three communities living in harmony. (Please read the article on remarkable transformation of a child soldier to a Chief Minister by the author) It is our duty to safeguard and look after our own LDP’s and we need assistance if possible and not advice and guidance how our brethrens should be treated. Expectations of a human being are unlimited. But LDP’s are well and warmly looked after until they are properly settled and families are united. We are sad about the statements made by some local and international organizations and individuals distorting the actual situation.

“Please Mind the Tongue” - Careful in making statements

We must be cautious in making statements on LDP’s as it is picked up by unscrupulous elements against us. Tamil Net picked up a statement made by Sarath Silva just days before his retirement on the conditions of toilets in camps, - when it has been the responsibility of a UN funded agency - that people have to wait long to use toilets. Tami Net on 4th June 2009 made the damning report based on the above inflammatory statement which is absolutely unwarranted and unnecessary. There were further reports on the net –that Tamils can not expect Justice under Sri Lankan Laws…. …. The statement that “ Even the LTTE had semblance of respect- it had referred several cases to legitimate courts in the North- Even Tigers respected our Judiciary… too were picked by Tamil Net propaganda and it is time we be extremely careful making statements on LDP’s which is the issue in question today.

Mahinda Chintanaya and Rajapaksa Dynasty

Our brethrens have short memories. It is time to for us to look back and take a stock of achievements, and the progress of Mahinda Chintana, for the last three year, as Mahinda Chintana is a consolidation of thousands and thousands of words and visions of the main cross section of the society, with whom his Excellency (hereafter referred to as Mahinda with respect and affection) has had close report with. Mahinda’s ancestors have been servants of the Nation over 60 years uninterrupted from the time of DM, DA, George, Laxman and Mihinda is in the “Zenith” and the star of the dynasty flanked by his three brothers Chaml, Gota and Basil. They have been tested by the Nation - not let down the peoples - and served uninterrupted- as one of the famous and most renowned world political families. Mahinda Chintana (referred to as MC) have laid the foundation to a stable and an everlasting solution to which JVP and JHU too has readily agreed. It categorically states that any solution will have to be ratified by the people who have given the Trusteeship of the nation to “Mahinda”. We hope they will be patient as any solution will be within the parameter of MC which offers equality – not necessarily parity or the reasonable position – to all citizens, which Mahinda has proved by his conduct for the last three years. Judicial appointments are excellent and conformity with the 17th amendment. Lawyers and litigants are at ease and relieved with sigh of relief as now they have a kind and balanced “Head of the Judiciary” loved by the members of judiciary and the people. Election of the Eastern Chief Minister and Minister Karuna are excellent and the changes of TNA and TNA MP Kishore’s political changers are good signs of a brought and peaceful future.

Self appointed experts on Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan issue is in the limelight for so long as there are self appointed experts on Sri Lanka all over the world giving various suggestions and solutions to our problem which we go through with so much of pain which only we are able to find a solution with the help of others where necessary. Some say 13th amendment is the “Panacea” for our problems which was imposed on us - yet a part of the supreme law of the country.( please read articles on 18th may 2008 r on implementation of 13th and 17th amendments and 17th amendment and beyond dated 6th April 2008 in Sunday Observer) Is devolution the only answer to the NE issue which is an economic and a matter which could be resolved within. Devolution is granting power from a central government of a state to regional or state level. Sri Lanka is such a small country which can cover in a car in few hours need not have separate unites as in the USA,Canada, Australia , Brazil or India which are continents and mega states. Bill Gate controls the massive worldwide business using a Mega Computer and we do not understand why we can not manage our administration and economy centrally using modern techniques. Mahinda has made this year IT and English which is a good sigh for an innovative and novel chapter in our history.

it is time for us to look back and take a stock of achievements, and the progress of Mahinda Chintana, for the last one year, as Mahinda Chintana is a consolidation of thousands and thousands of words and visions of the main cross section of the society, with whom Mahiunda has had a closed report with.

Mahinda Chintana

M.C. is a simple, straight vision for Sri Lanka, based on personal and political experiences of H.E. whose father late D.A. and uncle late D.M. Rajapaksa who laid the main foundation for his achievements. H.E. had continuous rapport and dialogue with the "peoples" of Sri Lanka before presentation of his programme which has been tested successfully for the last one year. It is now time for the people of this country to move forward with this strong foundation aiming at peace, prosperity and development keeping pace with the world economic and political order.

Mahinda Chintana Concept

M.C. has addressed almost all immediate and burning issues, out of which the N & E issue, is on the top of the agenda. Colossal amount of National wealth is wasted, hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost disturbed and displaced and our position in the world family was down graded in the past. Fortunately, due to correct steps taken by H.E. we are now regaining the reputation among the world community. H.E. has directly and indirectly addressed almost all the immediate and burning issues. MC has addressed Honorable Peace, Disciplined Society, Maintained of rule of law and Due Process, Protection of collective and Individual Human rights, and Agricultural Industry, Energy, Science, Technology, Art, Culture, Lands, environment, family values, Land, Knowledge, protecting the state and many other items. It is now time to learn from experiences mistakes and unbelievable achievements the world too has astonished during the last three years. In the North and East issue MC vision is clear (page 31 MC book). As follows Undivided Country,” A national Consensus and honorable peace” in which the basic theme is as CAF is haste and short sighted, New approach based on a fresh perspective “ A home grown Solution is proposed. Previous attempts have been successful; situation has been complex due to external interferences. Equal rights ( not necessarily reasonable use of language or rights) be given to all citizen all over country based on the internationally accepted norms and laws based on individual and collective "Human Rights". .Discussions with all political and non political groups. Discussions with Maha Sanga, other religious leaders, Civil society particularly, Tamil and Muslim organizations in the North and East. Time frame to implement this within a specified period. Sovereignty of Sri Lanka, the territorial integrity, and unitary nature not to be compromised. Developed powers to the citizen. Not to be trapped into all theories such as self - determination homeland, and connected theories, and concepts. Initiate direct talks, with parties concerned. Protections of minorities be given priority. They are considered as members of the family - based on Sri Lankan Identity. Failure of previous talks because there were no clear plans or pre - determined time frames. Clean agenda, specific time frame and vital concerns such as renouncing separatism, discussions towards a final solution and the implementation of such a solutions to be addressed, and implemented. Rectify imbalance on interferences as a result of short sited decisions taken our international relations and policy and international affairs which have affected the unitary nature, unity, sovereignty and pride of the country. To invite the "Good Office" of India- our immediate neighbor and a close friend. Request - co-operation with Asian Countries, China, Russia and Pakistan for a peaceful resolution. Appointment of Constitution Re-drafting Committee, with representative of the opposition, and to submit to the people, for a referendum. Development plan to continue in the North and East, whilst the reform process and talks continue. CAF to be amended or scrapped ( already scrapped and the war is won in three years)“Jatake Saviya” to be set up, with the help of the private sector, to help displaced victims of war and help the nation for re-building.“Jaya Lanka” programme to rehabilitate Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim and Tsunami affected, areas and groups.”

Trustee of the Nation and not a Ruler in the traditional sense

According to MC- A ruler is only a temporary trustee and not an owner of your children’s heritage. Before HE became the “Trustee” of our nation the approach and strategy towards a solution to N & E issue has been ad-hoc – No vision attitude – Proposed solution was mainly based on hastily formulated, and forcefully imposed and implemented – Indo Sri Lanka Accord and underlined concepts were based on self-determination and Homeland theory which are old and archive, and arch theories even considered by UN as outdated. Provincial Councils were established against the wished of the people by 13th Amendments in order to solve the N&E issue, in all other parts of the country Provincial Councils are in operation but not in N & E for which the Provincial Council system was brought about. There is duplicity, overlapping, mismanagement, and colossal waste in Provincial Council systems, which have become a “white elephant” and one of the biggest burdens to the nation which eats 80% of the income. But we have to live with this as it is part of our law which has gone too far. Mahinda in his wisdem will find a solution to this complicated issue and it is time to all to have truest in him and let him handle it. North and East issue escalated mainly due to the mismanagement by the predecessors of H.E belong to all political parties – not necessarily the United National Party. People in my country brought H.E into power, based on “trust” on him to be a temporary “Trustee” – Not necessarily the SLFP alone and as H.E was supported by the people, irrespective of any part of other differences. H.E’s election campaign was a unique campaign based on his personal friends, well-wishers of him and Nation worldwide and the need of the People. Achievement of H.E on the N & E issue in the last three is unique, successful, and far reaching. We are no longer “run down” by international community as has been he case before despite the inactivity and look warm, attitude of, names of our High Commissions and Embassies all over the world. It is HE’s personal stature, vision and activism that has catalyzed us to be respected member of the world famly “again”. Facts, and results speak for themselves, our brethren and alert, well informed and vigilant especially on the N & E issue. Appointments made, steps taken, strategy adopted, handling the international community, is excellent, Head-Hunting of the head of the peace secretariat, Secretary, Ministry of Defense, Army Commander, and other appointments are well thought of. Tolerance of the people, our difficulties in economics hardships, demonstrate their support to H.E and the citizens are patiently permitted HE, to carry on particularly implementation of M.C, which is an endorsement and encouragement for a permanent solution to this burning issue. H.E has introduced a “New Political Culture” by signing “MOUs” with U.N.P (17 fraction now dissolved) , J.V.P and J.H.U and unwritten MOU’s with CWC and many other parties. This is a unique achievement, where the country has put forward, as the main item, out of party, personal, either or other differences. This is mainly to aim at a main resolution to the N and E issue. How do we, and to what way, should we strengthen and hands of “H.E” to achieve a permanent solution acceptable to all parties concerned. We should follow the events and study the situations, without being emotional. The issues are so completed and rooted, that we need to know the real situation. Fortunately “H.E” has taken steps to simplyfy the procedure. Be above board and learn to “Live and let live”. The land belongs to all and all have equal rights. “H.E” who is a Human Right Activist will pave the way to all citizens to enjoy all “Human Rights” demonstrated in an accepted international “Human Right” instrument in the world. Be tolerant and assist the security forces, scarifying their lives to save our nation. Do not be influenced by gossip, rumors and some of the irresponsible media propaganda. Do not expect other to help the nation. Nation consists of each and in every individual. Please do your “duty” as a responsible citizen. Be “awake” every minute. Please be civic conscious even during your day-to-day activities. .Be professional and try to lead the normal life-should go on Developments should continue. Learn form other countries. In Isreal there is an on going war and no sigh of any settlement. But the development is growing faster, and despite war-life continues both. No country is safe, and there is no country, without a conflict. This is a reality. U.S.A, U.K or any other EU countries no a safe havens. These are realities. Therefore our only salvation is work hand-in-hand with “H.E” for the implementation of Mahinda Chinthana in the next 6-12years.“MC” concept now does not belong to “H.E” or SLFP it is in the national agenda acceptable by all political parties and the people of Sri Lanka. Let us work together for a peace full, prosperous and unique Sri Lanka using “MC” as a vehicle and please let Mahinda handle this crucial issue the way he handled the peace. Now let him work for prosperity peacefully.

The writer is a solicitor in England and Wales and Attorney-at Law sarath8@hotmail.com

-Sri Lanka Guardian