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Right
of reply- l
With regard to last week's Rajpal Abeynayake column, K. M. de Silva,
Executive Director of the International Centre for Ethnic Studies
in Kandy says:
"We need to point out that the ICES has always had two offices,
one in Kandy and one in Colombo, i.e. since 1982 to the present
day, but with a common Board of Directors. Throughout that period,
I have been either the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the
Executive Director. The Directors of the ICES have observed the
same principles that many academic/research institutions follow,
giving its members full freedom to express their views. However,
the views of any individual members, no matter the position he or
she may occupy in the ICES, do not necessarily reflect those of
the centre as a collective entity.
"The Rajpal Abeynayake column is absolutely accurate in saying
that a resolution condemning the LTTE for its act of terrorism in
the assassination our colleague Neelan Thiruchelvam was passed at
the conference which, sadly, coincided with his assassination. This
resolution condemned the LTTE as one of the world's most ruthless
terrorist organisations. This resolution was passed unanimously
at this conference organized by the Kandy ICES. The participants
were not only Kandy ICES members but there were some form the Colombo
ICES as well, in addition to other prominent Sri Lankans, and senior
scholars from other South Asian countries and the west.
"The only formal body that is authorized to take decisions
on behalf of the ICES as a corporate entity is the Board of Directors.
From the very beginning the Board has taken the position that while
it would act as a co-ordinating and policy making body, it will
not directly express opinions on issues. Individual directors and
researchers are
free to express their opinion on any controversial issue.
"This rightly, or wrongly, is the model adopted especially
in view of the sensitive nature of the issues the Centre deals with.
While this model may have its disadvantages, it has served the useful
purpose of bringing together, under one organization a group of
people with diverse views and opinions."
Rajpal Abeynayake writes: It is appreciated that Dr K. M. De Silva
confirms the ICES condemned the LTTE for the assassination of Neelan
Thiruchelvam once upon a time. That matter is clearly out of the
way. He goes on to say that the views of "any individual member
no matter how high a position he or she occupies does not necessarily
reflect those of the centre as a collective entity."
This must be so - but it does sound curious that the current Chairperson
of the ICES does not share the "collective views of the ICES"
on a matter as important as the former Chairman's assassination.
It is hoped she was not present when the resolution was passed on
the Thiruchelvam killing. Curious the workings of privately funded
think-tanks. Dog wags tail - tail wags dog - who knows? Certainly
not the public. But what does it matter, as long as one can cheer
for the LTTE, be in an organization that condemns it, and live merrily
ever after?
Right
of reply- ll
The "Sunday Times" (2nd June 2002) news item headlined
'National Government talks again' conveys a misleading impression
that last week's meeting between President Chandrika Kumaratunga
and UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrema discussed "the formation
of a Joint Committee mainly aimed at coming up with a National Government
style common position on the settling of the northern insurgency
with the LTTE".
The subject
of a National Government did not come up at all during the discussions
between the President and Mr. Samarawickrema.
The two issues discussed pertained to
1. securing the President's cooperation in the peace process, and
2. in what manner the Peoples Alliance could assist that process.
Accordingly, the President drew Mr. Samarawickrema's attention to
the ongoing harassment of PA members and supporters.
Completely false
allegations have been made against personnel of the Presidential
Security Division, senior officials of the President's Secretariat
and PA activists. While such allegations continue to be repeatedly
inquired into unfairly by the CID and until acts of vengeance cease
definitive talks would be difficult.
In the circumstances,
to suggest that last week's meeting aimed at coming up with a National
Government would appear to be an attempt to mislead the public.
Janadasa Peiris
Director General (Media)
Our Reporter's Note
Mr. Peiris' denial only confirms The Sunday Times story that a 'National
Government' style common position on the settling of the northern
insurgency with the LTTE, was in fact discussed by President Chandrika
Kumaratunga and UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrema last week.
It might do
well for Mr. Peiris to brief himself that the proposal of a Joint
Committee to settle the northern insurgency to be chaired by both
President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe
was mooted by the Peoples Alliance themselves in a policy statement
last month.
The Sunday Times stands by its story.
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