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| Wednesday, 21 January 2004 |
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Politics | |
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| Historic agreement heralds era of hope and confidence by Uditha Kumarasinghe In an epoch-making event in Sri Lanka's political history, the SLFP and the JVP yesterday reached a landmark agreement placing their joint signatures to a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at forming a broad national alliance for the long-term well-being of the nation and its people. SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena on behalf of the SLFP and the JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva on behalf of the JVP signed the historic agreement at the auspicious time at 10.40 am which pledged to rebuild the nation under "Pancha Maha Piliveth" (five Noble Objectives of governance). The MoU was signed amidst the blessings of a large number of religious dignitaries, politicians, artists and professionals who participated at this solemn ceremony at the BMICH, Colombo. The MoU which outlined the Alliance's programs under five sectors - economy, ethnic harmony, strengthening democracy, cultural policy and foreign policy - emphasised that a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict should be found through a correct dialogue with the LTTE. The two parties agreed that this problem must be settled on the basis of ensuring the equality of all ethnic groups. On the economic front, the Alliance aims to promote an economy which will give pride of place to local farmers, entrepreneurs and industrialists. They also hope to maximise foreign capital investment and open the country to global economic progress. The ceremony commenced with the lighting of a special traditional oil lamp by the key political figures of SLFP and the JVP comprising SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva, SLFP Senior Vice President and former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, PA General Secretary D.M.Jayaratne, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse, JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa and JVP Politburo member Nandana Gunathilaka. Former Vice Chancellor of Buddhist and Pali University Ven. Kumburugamuwe Vajira Thera administered Pansil followed by rites performed by other religious dignitaries. Later, the students of the Premasiri Khemadasa Foundation performed the Alliance theme song. PA Parliamentarian Nimal Siripala de Silva presented the MoU to SLFP and JVP Secretaries. Both Secretaries signed the document amidst the playing of Magul Bera. Addressing the gathering SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena said: "This historic agreement signed today will make a massive change in the Sri Lankan politics by fulfilling a noble service to the public." The late S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike who formed the SLFP 53 years ago made a key social change by forming the first SLFP Government in 1956. Since its inception, the SLFP and its leadership had a clear vision. The late leader as the pioneer of the SLFP made a major contribution for the well-being of the country by sacrificing his life. Then late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike in collaboration with the leftist movement gave the leadership to the SLFP for nearly 41 years, he said. At present President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga is successfully carrying out the progressive policies of the SLFP by guiding the country towards a new political direction, he said.Both the SLFP and the JVP have a leading role to play to enable key factors included in the MoU to be a reality, specially the ethnic issue. Both parties should be immensely dedicated to fulfil this requirement and create an environment for all communities to live in harmony, he said. He said the SLFP and the JVP have also widely discussed the other burning issues of the country and both parties will jointly make candid efforts to address the issues agreed on in this MoU. JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said the SLFP and the JVP signed this agreement to rebuild the Motherland by giving freedom and dignity to the country and its people. "However, reactionary forces will make every possible attempt to disrupt the alliance. When the JVP supporters made arrangements to celebrate this occasion on a grand scale, UNP thugs launched various attacks against JVP supporters. As a result, one JVP supporter in Puttalam district has been killed," he said. "The UNF regime has turned the country into a nation of beggars. According to the 2002 budget, each citizen has become indebted to the tune of Rs.97,500. The country has to beg because of the socio-economic and political policies created by the UNP in 1977," he said. "We appeal to all patriotic local industrialists and businessmen to help us rebuild the country. "The UNF Government has destroyed the moral and democratic values of the country. In order to develop this country, the SLFP and the JVP formed a broad national alliance. We only need an accurate political program and a leadership to rebuild the nation. This may be difficult task. But we reached this historic agreement to turn the country into a new direction." "We invite the nation's children and all who love the Motherland to join hands to rebuild the country. " We also hope to create a culture which will turn politics into a honourable profession," he said. |
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