NPC: Universal values provide basis for dialogue

May 2nd, 2008

Full Text of Media Release by National Peace Council of Sri Lanka:

The human and economic costs of war are taking an ever increasing toll on Sri Lankan society. The battles at Muhamalai in the north in which several hundreds of combatants either died or were injured serves as a reminder of the costs of war and further costs that lie ahead. A deplorable feature has been remains the deliberate targeting of civilians. The bus bombing of a passenger bus in Piliyandala near Colombo so far from the scene of battle is an example of the brutality that accompanies the logic of war that seeks victory at any price. The National Peace Council condemns the bus bombing, which the government has attributed to the LTTE, even as we condemn all other acts of violence that cause injury to the civilian population. We also repeat our call to the government and LTTE to de escalate the war and to negotiate a ceasefire and political solution that will address the roots of the conflict.

We appreciate the efforts of people of goodwill both within Sri Lanka and internationally to seek an alternative to militarism in the search for peace. The presence in Sri Lanka of representatives of the World Conference on Religions for Peace who held inter religious meetings in Kandy and Trincomalee in partnership with us has pointed to the universal values of religion that provide the basis for dialogue and mutual understanding.

Quite tragically, the immediate future presents a bleak picture of a continuation of military operations without concern for the human and economic costs. It appears that both sides can only see gains in terms of territorial victories and in killing as many members of the other side as possible, even if they be civilians. Without the transformation of the government and LTTE, through dialogue and mutual understanding, in which the government tables a viable political proposal and the LTTE accepts a united country, there can be neither peace nor justice in Sri Lanka. NPC urges religious and civil society to support such peace work in the face of an escalating war that is futile and ultimately brings suffering to all.

Executive Director
On behalf of Governing Council

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