Prelates stress need for patience

[TamilNet, Thursday, 03 October 2002, 18:05 GMT]
The prelates of Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters Thursday appealed that every one should act with patience at a time when the United National Front government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam were seriously involved in negotiations to restore peace in the island.

The Mahanayake Theras Venerable Rambukwelle Vipassi, Buddharakita Thera made this appeal when the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lt.General Lionel Balagalle and Jaffna area SLA commander Major General Sarath Fonseka paid homage to them separately Thursday at Kandy Dala Maligawe.

The Asgiriya Maha Nayake Thera said, "peace is essential for the ordinary people of the country of north and south who suffered due to the brutal war for over two decades."

Venerable Rambukwelle Vipassi Mahanayake Thera said, "every body should give serious thought to the peace process and support it at every possible opportunity."

The SLA Commander Lionel Balagalle briefed the prelates about the peace process and the stand taken by the SLA in supporting the peace process. The SLA commander told the prelates that the government is taking every possible step to obtain the release of six SLA soldiers now in the custody of the LTTE in Trincomalee. "We support the peace process and at the same time our forces are put on red alert to meet any challenge," said SLA Commander.

The SLA commander visited the Diyawadane Nilame of Dala Maligawa.