Archives

If LTTE is for unconditional talks: Relax proscription - Asgiriya Maha Nayake Thera

by S. K. Samaranayake and Wimal Weeraratne in Kandy

The Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter said the Government should consider relaxing the LTTE proscription if the LTTE was for negotiations with the Government without any pre-conditions.

The Mahanayake thera made this observation when a UNP delegation led by party chairman Malik Samarawickrema, General Secretary Senarath Kapukotuwa and Minister Lakshman Kiriella called on him at the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya Kandy to receive his blessings.

Ven. Buddharakkhita said several foreign countries had proscribed the LTTE naming it as a terrorist organisation. But the Government should consider lifting its proscription within Sri Lanka. The Maha Sangha would not oppose the handing over of the administration of a section of the country to the LTTE without any division of the country.

They would however firmly oppose any arrangement that would result in a division of the country.

Ven. Buddharakkhita said Sri Lanka was a very small country compared to India. Granting some form of self rule to the North and East is permissable provided the central government has some sort of supervisory control over it.

The Mahanayake Thera said the LTTE seemed to have shelved its obstinate ideas and listened to the ideas and views of the Government and the people. He knew that Government would never do any injustice to the Tamil people. Ven. Buddharakkhita said the Government had gone all out to provide all goods and other facilities needed by Tamils in the North.

The Tamil people should be given an opportunity if they make overtures for peace. This should be done by removing the obstacles placed on their path. In such a situation it would be wrong on the part of the LTTE to stealthily prepare for any destructive operations in the future. Instead it should try to co-operate with the government in a genuine manner.

Ven. Buddharakkhita who appreciated the peace program initiated by the Prime Minster and his new Government said peace was an urgent necessity since the country cannot go on like this forevever.

Earlier the UNP delegation visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa and paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic. They also called on the Most Ven. Rambukwelle Sri Vipasi Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter and received his blessings.

The delegation also included Kegalle district MP A. D. Champika Premadasa and Kandy MMCs Raja Pushpakumara and Chanaka Ailapperuma.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager