Peace Talks to Bring an End to the Conflict

By now some 8 youths and older men have gathered under the tree and I ask what they think must be the core issues addressed in peace talks to bring an end to the conflict. ‘The language issue is at the heart of it’ says the conch shell diver. Tamils must be able to speak our own language, to be understood and to be able to get employment and access to education; we must feel like equal citizens’. ‘If that doesn’t happen how can there ever be peace?’ ‘Also our Muslim land in the northern areas has been taken – this must be given back’. ‘Yes we have heard about the Language Commission saying all civil servants must speak both languages but they have been saying that for ever and nothing changes’. He then adds, ‘There is this new group called Allalan, named after a famous Tamil King, which now circulates threatening messages to the Muslims telling us we are not wanted back in our lands, but when we ask the Tigers they say it is not them, they know nothing about it. ‘We know it is really the Tigers just using the name as a ‘front’ so it is difficult for us to feel and hope in a real peace deal’.

Before I leave the conversation under the tree I ask the group what is the single most important thing that would help them to live a better life and they say ‘Re-open the Puttalam to Mannar Road and allow us at least to go to our fields’.