Govt assures solution before June 15: Trinco hartal suspended
 

Trincomalee correspondent

Members of the special Committee appointed by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to look into the situation in Trincomalee, yesterday assured the Tamil People's Organisation and Political leaders in the district that the Government would leave no stone unturned to help resolve the matter by June 15.

The delegation comprising Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Deputy Minister Dilan Perera, North Eastern Provincial Council Governor Tyronne Fernando and Director General RRR Harrim Peiris yesterday discussed with religious, civil and political party representatives in Trincomalee regarding the situation.

River Basin Development and Rajarata Development Minister Maithripala addressing the media at the Governor's office in Trincomalee following the discussion said the Tamil People's Organisation agreed to postpone the proposed hartal campaign which was scheduled to commence on June 2.

"As a responsible Government we are taking every possible step to preserve peace in the country," the Minister added.

The Minister also said that they had discussions with Dehiovita Piyatissa thera over the telephone as he was unable to attend the meeting. Tamil People's Organisation President V. Vigneshvaran told the media that as a law abiding organisation they agreed to give time till June 15 to remove the Buddha statue which he claimed was unlawfully erected in the Trincomalee town.

"If the Government fail to do it by June 15, we will not participate in any discussions with the Government," the Minister added.

The religious, civil and political party representatives requested the Government delegation to remove military personnel deployed in Trincoamlee town as it gives the impression of a war situation.

The Government delegation had agreed to take prompt action after having discussions with the President on arrival in Colombo. Trincomalee district TNA MPs R. Sampanthan and R. Thurairatnasingham also participated.