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by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The People's Alliance (PA) yesterday called for the establishment of two separate Joint Task Forces (JTF) for the North and the East. PA Spokesman Dr.Sarath Amunugama told the PA weekly media briefing that having a single JTF for both provinces could lead to problems and may even affect the peace process.

Amunugama said the provinces were different and two JTFs would be needed. It is the request of all communities that there should be two Joint Task Forces. He urged the government to clarify its attitude on this matter. The PA wants the peace process to succeed. "The basic question of the North and East has not been put on to the agenda of peace talks now going on in Bangkok. When the talks proceed on the Joint Task Force, a question will arise whether the Government is planning to have one task Force for the whole North and East or two forces including one for the North and another for the East," he added.

Amunugama said: "The stand of the PA is very clear. We have said that there should be a referendum in the Eastern Province. Actually that was the view of the late President J.R.Jayewardene too. Then the people of the East can decide whether they want a separate Provincial Council or merge with the North." The first demand of the public and the PA is that there should be a referendum and the people should be asked to decide. Only if a referendum is not held, the provinces should be joined through a task force. Amunugama said there is a Mangala Munasinghe Report which the UNP and PA have both signed, saying the North and East should be separated. He urged the public to look at this report.

The UNP has previously stated that there should be two Provincial Councils for the North and the East. When the UNP was in these respective committees, they have clearly stressed the need for two provincial councils. But the present UNF administration tries to cover that up, he said.

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