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Country cannot afford PA-UNP confrontation on Ceasefire Agreement - CPSL

The country cannot afford the luxury of a confrontation on the peace process between the two major political parties, says the Communist Party of Sri Lanka (CPSL) in a media release on the ceasefire agreement.

The CPSL also emphasises that a bipartisan approach to the solution of the problem is the way out.

Though the CPSL has several reservations with respect to the provisions in the agreement and with respect to the modalities and procedures to be followed for its implementation, it considers that there was an objective need to enter into a Ceasefire Agreement to precede talks with the LTTE.

The media release:

"The Communist Party of Sri Lanka soon after the General Election of 2001, through its statement issued on 17th December, 2001, called upon the new UNF Government to give its highest priority to the search for a lasting political solution to the ethnic question.

It also warned the progressive forces not to fall a prey to the designs and machinations of chauvinistic and separatist forces.

It was the consistent position of the CPSL that it is not possible to bring about a negotiated political solution to end the war in the absence of a collective effort of both the Government and the Opposition and in particular of the two major political parties. It emphasises that a bipartisan approach to the solution of the problem is the way out.

It was the wish of the people as reflected in the mandate given to the UNF at the last General Election that the new Government should embark upon such a strategy. The reality of the situation demands speedy action for a national consensus.

It is in this context that the Communist Party of Sri Lanka views the Memorandum of Understanding on the Ceasefire signed between the Government and the LTTE. It has several reservations in regard to the provisions of the Agreement as well as in respect of the modalities and procedures to be followed for its implementation. However, the CPSL considers that there was an objective need to enter into a ceasefire agreement to precede talks with the LTTE.

The Communist Party believes that, had there been consensus between the two major political parties and in particular between the President and the Prime Minister with regard to the text of the agreement, a more healthy atmosphere would have been created for the much needed bipartisan momentum in the search of a political solution. It should be stressed, that the party in power shares a greater responsibility in this respect.

The final solution to the ethnic question should be acceptable to all communities and safeguard the rights, interests and concerns of all.

The post-independent history shows that failure to find a solution or even to implement what was agreed upon had been due to the absence of a bipartisan approach and of a collective endeavour on the part of the two major political parties. It is therefore all important that the two major political parties should not allow themselves to dominated or influences by subjective and petty considerations.

This question is a deep and complex one which touches on the sensitivities of all major communities. The country cannot afford the luxury of a confrontation on this vital national issue.

The current peace process is in fact a continuation of the peace process initiated by the PA Government in 2000.

It failed to gather momentum and was interrupted midway because of the obstacles that prevented the development of a proper bipartisan approach. If the present efforts at a negotiated settlement are to succeed it is imperative that the government should work together with at least the major part of the opposition to build up a national consensus to endorse the settlement so worked out.

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