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It is the President's view that inspite of her goodwill, sincerity and flexibility to resolve this issue and arrive at a consensus and Memorandum of Understanding with the Government and recommence the Peace Negotiations which have been stalled since April, 2003, the Prime Minister's insistence in the 'control of the Defence Ministry and its key institutions and functions to carry out the Peace Process is the major obstacle in concluding an agreement and recommencing the peace negotiations ",the Presidential Secretariat said in a press release.

"The Government's insistence that key Defence Ministry functions should be under the Prime Minister has stalled progress in the Mano-Malik consensus talks.

The Director General (Media) of the Presidential Secretariat Janadasa Peiris in a press release yesterday states:"The attention of the President has been drawn to the recent newspaper and other media reports with reference to the on-going talks between the President and the Prime Minister carried out through the Officials Committee, comprising the Secretary to the President, W. J. S. Karunaratne, the Senior Advisor to the President, Mano Tittawela, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Bradman Weerakoon and the Chairman UNP, Malik Samarawickrema.

These reports contain incorrect and malicious allegations to the effect that there is a deliberate and well orchestrated plan launched by the State Media to impede the progress of these talks.

The President wishes to state the following facts to put the record straight:

1) Consequent to the take over of the three Ministries by President on November 2, 2003, while explaining the reasons for such a take over in a nationwide address, she called for a Government of National Reconciliation and Reconstruction.

2) Consequent to this appeal, the President invited the Prime Minister for a discussion held on November 12, 2003 attended by Secretary to the President, Secretary to the Prime Minister and the Senior Advisor to the President. At this discussion the President reiterated and explained reasons for her call for a Government of Reconciliation and Reconstruction.

3) A further meeting between the President and the Prime Minister attended by the above three officials was held on November 18, 2003 where it was decided to appoint a Committee of Officials comprising Secretary to the President, W. J. S. Karunaratne, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Bradman Weerakoon, Senior Advisor to the President, Mano Tittawella and Chairman UNP, Malik Samarawickrema to commence discussions on the President's proposal to form a Government of National Reconciliation and Reconstruction.

4) Since then, the Committee of Official have met on several occasions. At the outset, the President's proposal for a National Government of Reconciliation and Reconstruction was rejected by the Prime Minister, on the basis that it was not appropriate at the current moment.

5) At this point, the President suggested that since the Prime Minister was not happy with the Government of Reconciliation and Reconstruction, the committee consider working out a consensus program in some matters of national importance and then proceed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the objective of working jointly to implement same.

The areas in which consensus were to be achieved for this purpose, was defined as

(a) The Peace Process,

(b) Strengthening the Democratic process.

(c) Good Governance

(d) Major Areas of the

Economy.

Whilst there has been a general agreement on strengthening the Democratic Process, Good Governance and certain vital infrastructure related areas of the economy there has been no agreement on the peace process despite a comprehensive and detailed proposal made by the President which was submitted to the committee due to the fact that the Prime Minister has insisted on having control of the Defence Ministry in order for him to proceed with the peace process.

The President has always maintained that it is not possible for her under the Constitution and in the light of the recent Supreme Court determination to alienate the subject of Defence/Defence Ministry and its institutions and functions to any other person other than the President.

(6) The President maintained that the Prime Minister should handle the peace process and that she as the Defence Minister and the President would accord him the fullest support in this context.

(7) But unfortunately the Prime Minister and the Government have continued to maintain that the peace process could not be handled without full control of the Defence portfolio despite the constitutional and legal position that none other than the President should hold the defence portfolio and its subjects and functions.

(8) Inspite of the above assertions by the Prime Minister and the government and in order to facilitate the peace process and the successful completion of the consensus discussions, the President has made five successive proposals each one going further than the previous one seeking to accommodate the peace related, operational areas of the defence establishment, under the joint control of the President and the Prime Minister or the Minister nominated by him, in order that the peace process could be recommenced immediately.

However none of these proposals have met with the concurrence of the Prime Minister/Government who continue to insist that the major subjects of the Defence Ministry particularly control of the Army, Navy and the Air Force be brought under the Prime Minister which is both unconstitutional and illegal.

It is the President's view that inspite of her goodwill, sincerity and flexibility to resolve this issue and arrive at a consensus and Memorandum of Understanding with the Government and recommence the Peace Negotiations which have been stalled since April, 2003, the Prime Minister's insistence in the 'control of the Defence Ministry and its key institutions and functions to carry out the Peace Process is the major obstacle in concluding an agreement and recommencing the peace negotiations."

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