SEVEN STEPS to National Integration

We, therefore, propose that all those who oppose the "Package" work out a common strategy based on a minimum agenda involving the SEVEN STEPS TO NATIONAL INTEGRATION outlined below.

1. Eliminate terrorism and separatism from

the North and East and liberate the innocent Tamils, from fascism. A people who wish to live in peace with the majority, must be given due protection by the state.

2. Eliminate ethnic segregation by outlawing those espousing separatism and segregation through the enforcement of the 6th amendment to the Constitution with military precision. This must be followed by a national effort to wipe out the ethos of segregation implanted in the new generations in the north and east by the agents of the colonialists by establishing permanent army cantonments located every 10 km in the liberated areas, with at least 1,000 soldiers in each cantonment. The soldiers must be allocated land, houses, schools and all infrastructure facilities to sustain their families, and to integrate with the locals over a period of time contributing to national production.

3. Revamp the education policy of the country to end the segregation of school children by a system of national schools in which Sinhala and Tamil media are taught side by side according to preference and Sinhala language is taught to all as the "lingua franca" of integration. The English medium must be available for higher education in science, technology, and the need of the era, as Anagarika Dharmpala had advocated in our country a hundred years ago, and as the Meiji reformers implemented in Japan.

4. Job orientation of education and accommodation of early school drop outs in seeking job oriented training in family enterprises and private enterprises without allowing them to fall prey to organised child abusers and narcotics peddlers who are a menace to society.

5. Upgrade the political cadres through training, and invite persons with experience, education and proven abilities to people's forums, calling for nominations from recognised professional and service oriented institutions.

6. Rationalise the legal system by updating it to bring about equity and equality among all ethnic and religious groups.

7. Redraft the national constitution to abolish the Executive Presidency and to include essential ingredients for national integration, representative parliamentary democracy, national interests and values.

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