World Solidarity Forum workshop begins in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 June 2003, 01:34 GMT]
A Two-day workshop on the theme 'Coming to a Common Mind and raising a Common Voice' organized by the multi-religious World Solidarity Forum of Sri Lanka began Saturday at the Jaffna Veerasingham Hall, sources said. The clergy of all faiths in North and South attended the inaugural event, organizers said.

The Most Venerable Udugama Buddharakita Thera, Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter is to participate in the second day workshop Sunday. The prelate and his retinue are to arrive by air to Jaffna Sunday.

Organizers of the event said the Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter is to make an appeal to all concerned for the resumption of peace talks when addressing the second day workshop.

HUDEC Chairman Rev Fr. C.A.Jeyakumar addressing the first day workshop on the topic "Urgent Appeal" said the involvement of international community in our problem could produce positive and negative results. However, for a successful outcome it is important that the international community engages in the peace process to assist Sri Lanka without any hidden agenda. Third party facilitation is needed to find a solution to the national conflict but it should be an honest one without any pressure being exerted on the parties concerned, he said.

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) convener Mr.Suresh Premachchandran said peace couldn't be achieved with out establishing an interim administration for the northeast province. The ruling and opposition parties should join hands to set up an interim administration for the northeast province, he said.