|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Monday, 21 July 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| Govt will consult all parties before final decision on IA - PM Ananda Kannangara reporting from Medirigiriya, Polonnaruwa The proposals made by LTTE on the Interim Administrative (IA) council system will be decided by the Government without violating the Constitution and the existing laws of the land, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday. He was speaking at a public rally held at Medirigiriya, Polonnaruwa. A large number of villagers including farmers were present. The day's proceedings began with the opening of a Community Centre, a water distributing centre and several trade stalls for the benefit of devotees visiting the Medirigiriya "Vatadageya" Sacred area. The Premier said that the Government is not taking a final decision on the Interim Administrative Council system without consulting other political parties. "We will take a firm decision on this important issue after considering the proposals made by all parties including the main opposition People's Alliance", he said. "When introducing this system we have also to consider the rights of Muslims and Sinhalese living in these areas", he said. Wickremesinghe said that the Government has also requested a British expert Dr. Forsythe to make a complete study on the proposals made by the LTTE regarding Interim Administrative Council. He asked why some sections in our society wanted the Government to cancel the MoU, signed by us with the LTTE. "We are prepared to do it if these sections introduced a better solution to end the war." He said if the Government cancels the MoU by acceding to their request, then innocent lives will be lost again and villagers in remote areas will have to seek safe places to live. "They are well aware that if a war breaks out they or their children will not be the victims as it's the sons and fathers of the poor families who go to the battle front will get killed", he said. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also said that the international community has placed utmost confidence in our peace process. "This was clearly indicated when a large number of donor countries pledged their fullest support to our country recently in Japan by pledging a large sum of money for development, he said. "We consider this year as the employment generating year, since the peaceful situation has encouraged the Government to initiate development activities". The Premier also lamented that last year the Government had to consider as the year of repaying debts due to the high interest loans obtained by the previous Government for the war. The Prime Minister also assured the farmers in the district that steps have already been taken to establish a better market to sell a large quantity of excess paddy reaped by them in the last Maha season. He also pledged to them that a fertilizer subsidy will be introduced soon with the objective of encouraging the farmer community in the country. Making the vote of thanks Irrigation Minister H. G. P. Nelson thanked the entire UNP Parliamentarians and other branch members for conducting a three-day party organising programme in the Polonnaruwa District and also educate people on the Government's peace initiative and other development programmes. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
