Ranil on joint mechanism

NOW that discussions for setting up a joint mechanism of the Government and the LTTE has reached the final stage, he would once again reiterate the need to include Muslim and Sinahla representation to such a joint mechanism, said Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at a special meeting held at his Cambridge Place office on Wednesday.

Wickremesinghe said he had advocated the mechanism of Sinhala and Muslim representation from the very beginning when moves to set up a joint mechanism was first revealed. He had discussed this with the Norwegian Government, European Union and Japanese Peace Envoy Yasusi Akashi as well.

The discussions between the Government and the LTTE for setting up a joint mechanism was first revealed in a statement issued by joint chairmen of the aid group at a meeting held in Brussels on January 25. At that instance I suggested that Muslim and Sinhala representation should be included in such a mechanism', said Wickremesinghe.

The Government and the LTTE now have only a few differences to be ironed out before setting up this mechanism.

Since the joint mechanism will be set up after resolving these issues he would like to draw the attention of relevant sections on the need to include Muslim and Sri Lanka representation in it, Wickremesinghe said.

The manner of Muslim and Sinhala representation can be decided after discussions with the member of Parliament and civil society activists of the respective communities, Wickremesinghe said.