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| Friday, 12 March 2004 |
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| Clear answers needed - GL by Nadira Gunatilleke The country needs clear answers regarding contradictory views of the SLFP and the JVP on crucial national matters, Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday. Speaking at the Cabinet news briefing, he raised specific questions from the President on crucial issues concerning the peace process and the economic policy. The Minister said the people were keen to know the Freedom Alliance's attitude towards the private sector. "Will an Alliance Government allow foreign companies to invest in Sri Lanka? What will be the attitude of an Alliance regime on IMF, World Bank, ADB and the World Trade Organisation? Will an Alliance Government allow imports? Will an Alliance Government allow Sri Lankan companies to have trade links with imperial companies around the world ? These questions must be answered, "he said". Peiris said the President always mentioned about the large number of intellectuals and artists willing to build the nation under an Alliance Government. She also says that the Alliance stands for culture and freedom. "Mr. Anura Bandaranaike said one of the first tasks of an Alliance Government would be abolishing the Independent Police Commission. The Independent Police Commission was set up under the 17th amendment of the Constitution during the Probationary Government of SLFP and JVP, meeting one of the three demands of depoliticisation," Peiris said. "Abolishing the Independent Police Commission will help get police support to the Government in power. This will lead to the creation of a dictatorship in Sri Lanka. Two weeks ago the Alliance had a discussion with the business community. According to the business community they were not allowed to ask any questions on the Alliance's economic policy and answers were not given to the few questions asked," he said. During the past two years the public received benefits of BOI projects implemented in rural areas because the Ranil Wickremesinghe Government maintained the ceasefire for two years, the minister said. Meanwhile, a Reuters dispatch datelined Colombo quoted the Cabinet Spokesman referring to crisis the caused by Eastern leader Karuna breaking away from the LTTE as having said "We have no reason to believe it will have a serious effect on the peace process. All of the relevant parties have said they will honour the ceasefire agreement. It is a matter that needs to be resolved by the LTTE. We will refrain from any comment or action that may aggravate the problem". |
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