I read with interest Prof Uyangoda's interview with the Chief Editor. Having been a contributing correspondent to the Sri Lanka Sunday Observer and still being a Sri Lankan interested in a peaceful outcome to the conflict in the country, I feel that Prof Uyangoda's prescription is not the answer to solving the conflict. I say this for two reasons,1 Due to the very reasons ascribed by Prof Uyangoda, the paths of the Sinhalese and the LTTE will never meet, and if they are forced to meet by external influence, it will only be the begining of another problem 2 Asymmetrical devolution in the North and the East as a way to share power and provide an opportunity for equality and self determination does not tell us what happens, and what rights Tamils in the rest of the country, primarily in the Western and Central provinces will have compared to a devolved unit in the North and the East. Besides, leaving in droves to the North and the East, Tamils in the Western and Central provinces will have to either live as second class citizens (if they continue to feel discriminated) or they will have to continue to battle politically and who knows, militarily to win their demands.
