Racist forces are determined to disturb all efforts for peace at any cost. There were fisticuffs at the public meeting organized by the Movement against war at Viharamaha Devy Park in Colombo. Similarly there were disturbances at a peace rally organized in Kandy. It is unfortunate that the people who rallied for peace had to encounter violence.

What is unique in these brawls is that Bhuddhist priests whose sacred duty is to preserve peace were the ones who caused violence at the rally.

The National Movement against war led by Dr.Kumar Rupasinghe organized this rally enlisting the support of different political parties, civil activists and non governmental organizations in order to promote peace and avert a war.

While this meeting was in progress, the peace lovers had to engage in fisticuffs with the Bhikkus of the Hela Urumaya who walked into the meeting and created disturbances. As a result of this brawl, fifteen persons were injured. All of them are receiving treatments at the Colombo National Hospital.

Although the Rajapakse government does not want to call the prevailing situation in the North East as a war, it is evident that more than 100 people have died within a week and more than 100 000 people have been displaced. What is more, non governmental organizations are unable to reach the affected people with humanitarian assistance .

The Majority of the people want peace. Yet their voice is not heard. Their voice is stifled by the racist elements in the South.

We see a political trend in which JVP and Hela Urumaya that want a military solution are the allies of president Rajapakse who proclaims he is for a political solution through negotiations.

It is unfortunate that the advocates of war are gaining ground in the South and there is no congenial atmosphere for healthy political activities.

An English translation of the Editorial of Thinakkural, a Tamil daily based in Colombo

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