Archives

The People's Alliance has taken a collective decision to oppose the 19th Amendment which seeks to clip the wings of the President, PA media spokesman Dr. Sarath Amunugama told the media yesterday. However, party stalwarts A.H.M. Fowzie and Richard Pathirana were not present at the PA parliamentary group meeting chaired by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Anura Bandaranaike MP had been delegated to intercede with the duo to put up a united effort against the Government.

Amunugama said that the PA had also decided to oppose the lifting of the ban on the LTTE adding that the Government was trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the people by stating it was a temporary lifting(of the ban) while the Gazette notification did not indicate such was the case.

"There is nothing in the Gazette to state the lifting of the ban is temporary. This is an eyewash. The PA is opposed to this", Amunugama said.

He reiterated the PA stand that any lifting of the ban should precede an agenda for talks and a guarantee that a political settlement was emerging and where the government would be at an advantage when the talks begin instead of "jumping the gun" as it had done.

"So far the government had not disclosed what its own proposals are for a political settlement. It is a well guarded secret", Amunugama said.

Instead the government was determined to implement asymmetrical devolution where disproportionate powers will be granted to the LTTE while diminishing the Provincial Councils.

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