Editorial - Why this hell of a mess and muddle

29 May 2012 09:05 pm

As we move into June the traditional June bride still appears to be wearing black at least symbolically with little or no progress towards the reconciliation of the ethnic conflict more than three years after the conclusion of the war. Instead of progress the reconciliation talks seem to be at a dead end with the ITAK, the main party in the TNA taking a tough stand at its annual convention and adopting a resolution for the merger of the NE provinces. This amounts to the 13th Amendment plus, plus at a time when Government leaders and the hard line or extremist parties in the ruling UPFA insisting that the solution cannot be based even on the full implementation of the 13th Amendment with plus factors not negotiable.

Sri Lanka’s giant neighbour India is also insisting on an early solution based on the full implementation of the 13th Amendment plus. Political analysts say the ties between India and Sri Lanka are on a tight rope as they were in the 1980s and anything could happen. The US is also supporting the Indian stand and calling for the implementation of the recommendations of the LLRC.



The UNP which held talks with the President last week says the Government must resume talks with the TNA and make specific proposals for substantial devolution of power and implemenlation of the main LLRC recommendations. The UNP insists this initiative must be taken before it could persuade the TNA to take part in the sittings of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) through which the Government hopes to find a solution acceptable to all. The UNP and the JVP also say they will not take part in the PSC talks because they see it as a move by the Government to drag the issue or buy time. With all these double games, double talk, duplicity and deception compounded by arrogance, self–righteousness and hypocrisy, Sri Lanka appears to be heading for deep trouble with growing dissension in the North and increasing international pressure to find a just political solution to the ethnic conflict and address accountability issues relating to alleged war crimes.

With the reconciliation process dead-locked, the cost of living soaring to the international space station and the economy on the brink of collapse, politicians might blame it all on the malefic effects of a planetary change involving Jupiter. Temples are reported to be crowded with politicians offering poojas to ward off the ill-effects while the President is scheduled to make at least four trips abroad during these bad days.

But as Shakespeare would say, it is not in the stars but it is the selfishness and greed along with the desire for power, prestige and popularity that have turned vital issues into a hell of a mess and muddle.