|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 19 August 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| President in letter to OPA states : PA committed to peace President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said she is for direct negotiations with the LTTE and was committed to peace with democracy and a resolution of the ethnic problem through dealing with the causes of the conflict. In a letter addressed to Architect V.N.C. Gunasekera President of the OPA, President Kumaratunga stated that the People's Alliance had a consistent and well published position on a resolution of the ethnic conflict viz her proposals of August 2000' which was subjected to the widest possible consultation and dialogue. She invited the OPA to continue with the dialogue on public issues begun at the time of her first government in 1994. The President in her letter also stated: "I am in receipt of your letter of 30th July, 2003 regarding the above. "The informed views of civil society in general and professionals in particular are of special importance in national life, which is why I constantly urge the Prime Minister to make the peace process a more broad based and inclusive process." "With regard to the current status of the peace process, I have on many occasions pointed out to the Prime Minister in writing and publicly, its deficiencies with regard to the lack of focus on resolving the causes of the conflict (core issues), the absence of any human rights protections, non adherence to even the deeply flawed ceasefire MOU by the LTTE and most alarmingly, a serious decline in military preparedness of the Armed Forces and a corresponding deterioration in national security and sovereignty". "At present the LTTE has suspended its participation in the peace process, is murdering its political opponents and army personnel throughout the country and is vastly expanding the institutions of a de facto separate State and setting up camps within Government controlled areas of the North and East. The Prime Minister has not informed the people, the Parliament, the Cabinet nor me of his response to this situation or any remedial action in this regard". "As for a negotiated political solution, be assured that my Presidency remains firmly committed to peace with democracy and a resolution of the ethnic problem through dealing with the causes of the conflict, direct negotiations with the LTTE and by redressing our failure as a people to create a truly multi ethnic and pluralist society". |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
