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by Bharatha alawaraarachchi and Ranil Wijayapala

The newly sworn-in Minister of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday called upon the Southern political parties to shed sectarianism and factionalism and work in a spirit of harmony and co-operation to find a lasting solution to the ethnic question.

He was making a special statement in Parliament yesterday to explain his decision to join the Government. In his statement, Minister Bogollagama said:

Hon. Speaker, and Hon. Members of Parliament "I have taken a momentous decision to, whilst remaining in UNP ranks, co-operate with the Government of Her Excellency the President. My address to this august Assembly is to explain the reasons which underscore my decision.

There can be no doubt that of all the burning issues afflicting Sri Lanka, the most intractable, and perhaps the one which stands most to undermine the stability of the country is the current imbroglio arising from the Ethnic Question.

Its resolution demands extremely generous and equitable concessions to the Tamils of the Northern and the Eastern parts of Sri Lanka; at the same time it is the sacred duty of the political parties of the South to concertedly ensure that in the process, the unity and sovereignty of the country is not endangered.

"I would like to set out briefly the reasons why I consider it necessary for the United National Party to join hands with the present Government, since the resolution of the Ethnic Question can be best achieved if the democratic forces in the South work together.

I am convinced that the UNP should accept the invitation of Her Excellency the President to participate at the sessions of the National Advisory Committee for Peace and Reconciliation, as a first step in such bipartisan politics.

"I have no doubt that this Committee has been forged by Her Excellency the President, because of the need to achieve a Southern consensus in respect of proposals mooted by the LTTE in the document for the establishment of an Internal Self Governing Authority.

Certain critics consider some of their proposals controversial, and which couldhave far-reaching implications in the context of the national interest of this country. I do not think this forum is appropriate to discuss these proposals at length.

However, I wish to point out that some of the proposals are interlinked with what should emerge eventually as the contours of a final settlement.

Therefore, careful and objective consideration should precede the decision-making process in respect of the ISGA proposals.

"It is for these reasons that Her Excellency the President has considered it necessary that political parties in the South before negotiations with the LTTE, should confer in regard to the ISGA proposals, and arrive at a consensus.

The UPFA Government and the UNP are both in agreement with the current peace process, that it should move forward, and that the ISGA proposals should be discussed with the LTTE.

Therefore, if the two political groups are in harmony in respect of the ongoing peace process, the achievement of a consensus prior to deliberations with the LTTE will strengthen and stabilise whatever interim or permanent solutions are eventually to be agreed upon, to resolve the grievances of Tamils.

I am reminded of the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement of 1987 forged by the former President J. R. Jayewardene.

I recall the President and the Prime Minister at the time, the late Ranasinghe Premadasa, having differences of opinion in relation to certain aspects of the accord, despite being from the same political party.

In contrast to this scenario, the two major political parties of the country, though opposed to each other, are in agreement with many aspects of the peace process.

The task of achieving a Southern consensus through co-operation and consultation is therefore relatively easy; and results flowing from such a bipartisan approach will stand the test of time far better than in a scenario where the UPFA Government alone arrives at a political settlement, sans the support of the UNP.

"Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the leader of our party is well aware of my deep commitment towards the establishment of a government of national reconciliation. I have as far back as 2001, openly expressed views urging that the major political forces of the South should work together and evolve a national consensus.

Even at the time Her Excellency the President took over the portfolios of Defence, Internal Security and Mass Communication in late 2003, I was a strong advocate in favour of the UNP working in co-operation and harmony with her, since the need of the hour was national reconciliation, and the emergence of a national consensus.

Even in articles and interviews in the print and electronic media since 2000, I have been steadfast and consistent in advocating a bipartisan approach in the quest for solutions to the Ethnic Question and other national issues.

I am convinced that it is due to endless conflicts characterising the political landscape since Independence in 1948, that the country has been unable to find a lasting solution to the Ethnic Question.

"Several independent organisations described as the 'Civil Society', in a collective sense, have, for a considerable length of time, advocated the crying need for good, honest, sincere, transparent governance, devoid of pettiness and expediency.

They have for long urged Governments to approach the resolution of national problems in such a spirit. Theirs has been a voice in the wilderness I endorse their views and concepts wholeheartedly and commend that we take a leaf out of their book.

Countless have been the times when they have urged the major political parties to sink their narrow differences and unite in the truest sense, to resolve national problems and protect democratic norms.

I finally conclude by calling upon the Southern political parties to shed sectarianism and factionalism, and work in a spirit of harmony and co-operation to find a lasting solution to the Ethnic Question."

Meanwhile a media release from the office of the President states: Rohitha Bogollagama, UNP Member of Parliament from the Kurunegala district was sworn in as Minister of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development by President Kumaratunga on November 18.

Bogollagama was invited by the President in the exercise of her constitutional right having appreciated the consistent stand he has adopted through several years, regarding the importance of reaching a national consensus between all political parties represented in Parliament, especially the UNP and the PA, now the UPFA, in order to resolve major problems the country is facing.

Meanwhile Director General Policy Research & Information Unit (PRIU) Presidential Secretariat in a press release states, MP Rohitha Bogollagama was one of the key members in the UNP delegation during the talks held at BMICH in August 2001, between the UNP and the PA to explore the possibilities of reaching a national consensus.

The PA had even decided on the portfolios which should be given to the UNP. The PA was ready to offer the Premiership to Ranil Wickremesinghe and the then Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake was willing to step down in the greater interest of the nation.

However their talks did not reach fruition as Ranil insisted that "the President must act only as a rubber stamp" suggesting she endorses all executive Prime Ministerial decisions.

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