Tamils, Sinhalese must share power for Sri Lanka peace: US

Lalit K Jha

Washington, May 20 (PTI) With the end of civil war in
Sri Lanka after military victory over the LTTE, the US has
asked Colombo to initiate a "power sharing arrangement" among
Tamils, Sinhalese and others for a "lasting peace" as well as
to heal the wounds of the conflict that killed thousands.

"To truly defeat terrorism, the Government of Sri
Lanka needs to begin to heal the wounds of the conflict and
work toward building a democratic, prosperous, tolerant and
united Sri Lanka and work toward justice and reconciliation
for both sides," the State Department spokesman, Ian Kelly,
said in a statement.

"A lasting peace in Sri Lanka depends on Sinhalese,
Tamils and all other Sri Lankans working together to achieve
new power sharing arrangements that safeguard and promote the
rights of all Sri Lankans," Kelly said.

Welcoming the cessation of fighting, the United
States, however, said it remains deeply concerned of the
welfare of the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced
persons uprooted by the recent fighting.

"We especially recognise the tremendous loss of life
and hardship endured by civilians in northern Sri Lanka during
the past weeks and months, and are relieved that this loss of
life has ended," the statement said.

The US urged the Government to allow humanitarian
access to the camps and to work hand in hand with the UN,
ICRC, and non-government organisations to ensure all IDPs are
accorded rights and care meeting the highest international
standards.

"We are prepared to work with the Government to
provide for the basic needs of all of its citizens, and
abide by its commitment to return the majority of IDPs to
their homes by the end of this year," Kelly said. PTI LKJ
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