(January 29, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Initially, the Trincomalee district be brought in as territory under the Provincial Council, subsequently other disputed and shared AGA divisions be administered by the Provincial Council and the law and order within these regions be administered by the Provincial Police Force that shall be established on a priority basis drawing from the central police force as well as new recruits. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
by A.R. Arular
III. The Political Formula for a settlement of the North East conflict.
Though it is clear, only creating a Tamil majority province and restructuring of Sri Lanka as a federal constitution will bring an end to the armed conflict in Sri Lanka, peace cannot be achieved without addressing the issue of power and security both during the interim period and in the post interim period.
As it is apparent LTTE is fighting for statehood as well as-power, an amicable way out acceptable to the LTTE has to be put forward so as to accommodate the objectives of the LTTE in a mutually acceptable way. This formula has to be evolved through discussion with a1l the parties to the conflict.
The Advisor to the Governor, North East province should conduct such talks and evolve the proposal that will be adopted by all parties concerned so as to bring about a speedier end to the conflict. Once a basic document has been evolved providing for the interim programme and constitution, direct talks between the government and the LTTE has to be started for the final agreement in the presence of international community who will act as guarantor and underwrite the political settlement.
This proposal could be on the following lines.
1.Establish the constitution through talks with the LTTE that will permanently merge the North East as one province and provide for mutually exclusive powers with powers of co-ordination wherever necessary
2.Bring about a cease-fire and establish the line of control between the two parties.
3.In the interim period empower the provincial council to operate as a federal council using emergency powers.
4.Establish a three tier security regime for the North East in the interim period whereby the law and order shall reamin remain the responsibility of the three parties, namely, the central government, the LTTE and the Provincial Council within their respective areas.
5.The two zones of the Centre and LTTE be administered by the provincial council with regard to other matters for which the Provincial council has the power and gradually subject the law and order responsibilities of the centre and the LTTE to the provincial judicial system.
6.Initially, the Trincomalee district be brought in as territory under the Provincial Council, subsequently other disputed and shared AGA divisions be administered by the Provincial Council and the law and order within these regions be administered by the Provincial Police Force that shall be established on a priority basis drawing from the central police force as well as new recruits.
7. Within the Provincial Council areas suspend party political activities during the constitutional stabilisation period until all parties including LTTE can function without armed cadres and allow for the operation of the party politics once mutual trust and confidence is established between all parties including the LTTE. However all parties be provided with opportunity to engaging in NGO activities from the inception and carry out relieve and rehabilitation work within the North East Province.
8.Establish symmetrical pressuring and dismantling process whereby both the LTTE and the Government sectors of security is handed over to the Provincial Council (Regional council) while the people coming under the Regional Council are integrated as free citizens under the regional council while LTTE transforms itself to be integrated into the provincial and central state structuring and democratic process.
9.Hold the Regional Council elections once the entire area has come under the control of the Regional Council and democratic process restored.
10.Regional Councils be provided with powers to establish administrative districts and the Muslim issue be addressed by the elected regional council.
11.Establish an industrial estate next to the Trincomalee district but within the North Western Province providing employment and housing for the Sinhalese and Muslims who do not wish to live under a Tamil dominated rule within the North East Province.
IV.The role of the international community
The international community should come forward to underwrite the . Programme established along the above proposal and make available funds necessary for taking forward the programme.
Wherever necessary the international community should constructively and positively engage in providing manpower assistance to take forward the peace programme.
- Concluded
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