Hindu Council appeals for Peace in New Year message

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 13 April 2004, 09:28 GMT]
The All Ceylon Hindu Congress (ACHC) Tuesday in its New Year Day message appealed to the Sri Lanka Government and the opposition to evolve a lasting political solution that would satisfy the aspirations of the Tamil-speaking people to work towards a ensuring permanent peace in Sri Lanka.

The New Year message issued by the President of the ACHU Mr.V.Kailasapillai follows:

"A New Year is blossoming. In this New Year, a political solution that will satisfy the aspirations of the Tamil speaking should be found. This is the prayer of the people.

"We have suffered enough. Let there be solace at least in the future" is the yearning of the people. The politicians should have discerned this from the recently concluded election.

Even those who said that there should be a solution through the war, and those who dreamt of a political solution through war, have realized the error in their thinking and called for peace through dialogue and discussion in one voice. Simply calling for talks is not enough. What is required is immediate action.

It is the responsibility of both the Sri Lankla government and the opposition parties to bring about peace in Sri Lanka. This is the mandate given to them by the people. It is also their moral duty to do so.

Let communalism be banished with its roots. Let the politicians act with a sense of responsibility. Let all forms of violence disappear. Let love abound everywhere.

The Tamil-speaking people are also citizens of Sri Lanka. Let there be a political solution that would satisfy the aspirations of the Tamil speaking so that they can enjoy equal rights and walk with dignity.

Pray to His Almighty on this New Year Day. Let us be optimistic that there will be salvation and solace to our people with the grace of God.

The path of faith is a good path for us to follow.

Do not forget that many of our brothers and sisters have been suffering in numerous ways. Let all of us help them with all our hearts and with all what we can give. His Almighty will bless those who are charitable and feel for the others. That is what we can do on this Holy Day of the New Year."