By Saman Indrajith
President Chandrika Kumaratunga Monday expressed hope that the initiative of the UNP government would be successful. She was speaking at the inauguration of the 17th Interpol Asian Regional Conference at the BMICH.

"We hope this (peace initiative) with the support of our international friends, will succeed," she said.

President Kumaratunga said that Sri Lanka had suffered many ill-effects of terrorism for nearly 20 years. "We believe that the use of force and military power will not bring a final solution to eliminate terrorism. The root causes of social inequalities and disparities must be addressed. We tried for twenty years to bring terrorists to the negotiating table. Various efforts were made and now some have succeeded," she said.

A majority of the country now have understood that minority communities have problems arisen out of certain discriminations. Elimination of political and economic disparities will eliminate terrorism, she said.

The present government’s move towards peace, with the assistance of international mediation will be successful, she said.

She added that small countries like Sri Lanka don’t have the necessary wherewithal to fight against internationally networked organizations like the LTTE, and noted that international organizations like Interpol could assist small countries to eliminate terrorism.

She said that the rapid process of globalisation despite its many positive aspects, had made terrorist organizations more powerful.

IGP Lakdasa Kodithuwakku speaking at the seminar said that over the past years crime and terrorism had developed in many ways and international organizations such as Interpol’s assistance towards the nations would contribute to equalize the imbalance between single nations and the well established transnational organizations.

Secretary General of the Interpol, Ronald K. Nobel and Minister of Interior John Amaratunga also addressed the inaugural session.

Attorney General, Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Interpol representatives of 39 nations in Asia, commanders of forces were also present at the inauguration of the conference which will end tomorrow.