Clergy renews peace efforts

By V. S. Sambandan

COLOMBO, JAN. 24. In tune with the overall mood of optimism on a resolution of the decades-long separatist conflict, the Sri Lankan clergy has renewed its efforts to support the Government proposals to seek a peaceful solution.

A clergy organisation, the Inter Religious Peace Foundation (IRPF), represented by a majority of Buddhist clergy proposes to call a meeting with its members and other religious organisations to discuss how the clergy could co-operate with the Government and the Opposition in bringing about peace, the State- run The Observer reported today.

The role of the clergy was significant in the conflict resolution process as attempts to give greater powers to the minority Tamils in the past were met with resistance by sections of the Buddhist clergy, who apprehend such changes as a threat to the Sinhala- Buddhist identity. Earlier, the Bandaranaike- Chelvanayakam Pact could not be implemented due to pressure from sections of the Buddhist clergy.

The recent efforts by the clergy had been on emphasising the pluralistic nature of the Sri Lankan State and on serving as bridge-builders between the conflict-rid North-East and southern Sri Lanka.

In this backdrop, the IRPF had plans to write to the President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, and the Opposition leader, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, seeking meetings with the two leaders to discuss how the clergy could co-operate with the Government and the Opposition in bringing about peace.

Police released a photograph of the suicide-bomber behind the December 18 assassination attempt on Ms. Kumaratunga, and announced a Rs. 2 million reward for those providing information. The photograph was published by the State-run Daily News, but no name or other identification details were given.

UNI reports:

The former Indian Prime Minister, Mr. I. K. Gujral, the former Chief Justice, Mr. P. N. Bhagwati, and scholars Mr. Upendra Baxi and Mr. Ashish Nandy are among the 100 international participants who will attend a series of events being organised to commemorate the late Dr. Neelam Thiruchelvam's birthday here on January 31.

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