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| Monday, 08 November 2004 |
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| Bogollagama says UNP should attend NACPR: Don't stay away from NACPR, prelates tell UNP by Indhika Polkotuwa and Indrani Thoradeniya The Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters have appealed to the United National Party to reconsider its decision to stay away from the National Advisory Council on Peace and Reconciliation (NACPR) which both prelates described as a most significant cross road in the entire peace process so far. The Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera, Mahanayake of the Malwatte Chapter and the Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter underlined the importance of participation of the UNP in the NACPR when Chairman of the Committe on Public Enterprises, Kurunegala District UNP MP Rohitha Bogollagama called on the prelates to seek their blessings. The Most Venerable Theras have also stressed the need for both the UPFA and the UNP to work together to see through a solution to the national question. The UNP MP held discussions with the two Mahanayake Theras on several vital issues covering the national problem and likely strategies which should be adopted towards finding a lasting solution. Expressing his views on the national problem, the Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Maha Nayake Thera said if the UPFA and the UNP joined together and worked to save the country, the people will accord both their leaders with the highest regard and respect and hailed as true leaders who saved the country. Whatever the arguments, the solution lies in the two leaders' hand and as such they should get together, the two prelates said. "UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should let the public know what his solution is to the problem. The best place for him to come out with his solution is the National Advisory Council. If he cannot participate in person at the NACPR, it is important that he sends a delegate," he said. "The public are of the view that the UNP leader is in favour of granting what the LTTE demands and he has entered into a pact with the LTTE. If the public view is wrong, he can erase that misunderstanding by expressing his views at the NACPR. Priority should be given to the protection of the people and the country. Parties and Party leaders come next," the Mahanayake Thera said. The prelate asked Bogollagama to force the UNP leader on this matter since if the members do force the leader, it will not be difficult to persuade him. He had told the same to UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrema, the prelate said. Speaking to Bogollagama, the Most. Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Mahanayake Thera said UNP's participation at the NACPR was vital to bring about a lasting solution to the pressing problem the country has to face. The Mahanayake Thera pointed out that both parties would have to forget their different political agendas for the present and work towards finding a solution. "For a short period they should forget their petty party politics and work together to solve the problem. Once that is done they can do their politics," he said. Agreeing with the two Prelates' views UNP MP Rohitha Bogollagama said that he found the NACPR as a useful tool in finding a solution to the national problem and said it was his view that the UNP should participate at the discussions. "I am of the view that we all should act with one mind. When I entered Parliament in 2000, I harboured this thought. I was with the same view when we won the general election in 2001. When the three ministries were taken over by the President, I was of the view that we should work together. Looking back at the 54 years since independence, we find that we have achieved nothing as political parties, but have failed the people badly. We should rise up to the expectations of the people and work together to solve the three most challenging problems: National issue, economy and the strengthening of democracy. We should not look at these from our different political angles but with the national interest at heart," he added. |
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