Solheim believes federalism still the solution to Tamil problem
By Leo Darshan
COLOMBO – Former Norwegian peace negotiator Erik Solheim believes federalism still stands as the solution to Sri Lanka’s Tamil problem, and notes it can mobilize broad domestic support and be recognized by the international community. He cites India as providing an impressive model of federalism which works.
In a brief interview with our sister paper Virakesari, the Norwegian diplomat and former politicians, who was part of the delegation that unsuccessfully attempted to resolve the Sri Lankan Civil War before the outbreak of Eelam War IV, also notes that it is important families of the disappeared get clarity as to what happened during the last phase of the war, and how and when people died. He calls for those guilty of war crimes to be prosecuted.
Responding to a question about his views on the rights of the minorities post-war, Solheim, expresses the belief that minorities should fight for self-government and for their rights within a united Sri Lanka, but adds the country has a way to go, stressimg all political struggles should be non violent.
On the issue of working closely with the Rajapaksa regime for peace building work, he says as peace facilitators, Norway worked closely with all the leaders of Sri Lanka at the time – Chandrika Bandaranaike, Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa – and elaborates they worked closely with Rajapaksa in the first period after he came to power in 2005. He also notes, “We cooperated in similar ways with Prabhakaran and the LTTE leadership.”
On the issue of the 13th Amendment and power devolution in the context of government plans to draft a new constitution, Solheim says, “As a foreigner I should avoid going deep into Sri Lankan politics,” but notes Sri Lanka is a complicated country and there is a need for all communities to respect each other, live in harmony with each other and find solutions acceptable to all.
Questioned about the civil war and his peace building efforts, he says, “We worked very hard to assist the government and the LTTE to agree to a peaceful settlement to the conflict. At the time it saved tens of thousands of lives. Unfortunately it failed in the end with so much suffering.”
Solheim believes it is time Sri Lanka look forwards – to reconciliation and protection of all communities, to economic and social progress.
-ENCL