|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Saturday, 27 March 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| We have to move peace process forward - PM Bharatha Malavaraarachchi reporting from Kandy Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said negotiations will commence to reach an agreement on an administrative structure for the North-East areas after the general election. "We have to move the peace process forward. We plan to recommence the stalled peace talks process by initiating negotiations on a new administrative structure for the North-East," Wickremesinghe told several election rallies in Gampola, Yatinuwara, Wattegama and Katugastota on Thursday in support of United National Front candidates contesting the General Election. The Prime Minister stressed the administrative structure should ensure the rights of all communities living in North-East. "The Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people living in North-East should have the right to engage in their day-to-day activities without any interference," he added. He said after reaching an agreement on this particular issue, the negotiations could focus solely on establishing a permanent peace. This work will begin after the forthcoming general election. We have to move the peace process after the Sinhala new year," he added. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe called on the people to give a strong mandate to the UNF to continue the peace process and establish permanent peace in the country. Only the UNF can move forward the peace process and country's development work. We have the strength to do that," he added. Referring to the policy statement of the Freedom Alliance, the Prime Minister said it has no clear policies to bring peace to the country. The PA and JVP has different policies on the peace process. The LTTE has already urged that the conditions of the current peace process should be maintained at future negotiations. The LTTE is against for amending any conditions of the present peace process. Therefore, only the UNF could take forward the peace process which had been accepted by the LTTE and the international community," he added. We are at a very decisive moment in the peace process I call upon you to give a strong mandate to the UNF to form a stable Government in the next Parliament to ensure peace and harmony. The Premier recalled that the people gave a clear mandate to the UNF at the 2001 general election. We placed the truth before the people. I took new initiatives and commenced the peace process in a fresh manner." He explained how the ceasefire agreement signed between the Government and the LTTE helped to create a peaceful atmosphere in the country. He explained that following the success of the peace process, Sri Lanka was able to obtain a large amount of foreign aid at the Tokyo Aid Group meeting. "Today, there is a peaceful environment in the country and the people are able to move about freely. There is no fear of war in the country," he added. The Prime Minister stressed that steps should be taken to move towards a permanent peace from the present ceasefire agreement. "The ceasefire agreement is not peace. We must move forward based on this agreement. That's why the Government and the LTTE exchanged proposals on a new administrative structure for North-East," he said. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
