CFA has to be reviewed - Mangala

by Rohan Mathes

UPFA Presidential Campaign Spokesman Mangala Samaraweera said that the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) would have to be reviewed, as there are many shortcomings in it.

Responding to queries from journalists at the press conference following the launch of the "Mahinda Chintana" at the BMICH yesterday, he said that all options will be considered in the revision process of the CFA.

Samaraweera said the future peace talks will be time-bound, unlike Ranil Wickremasinghe's time where G.L. Peiris's group trotted the globe in pursuing peace.

Referring to the stand of the Presidential hopeful Mahinda Rajapakse, Samaraweera was of the view that 'unitary' and 'federal' status were only concepts, and Rajapakse will approach the crisis with an open mind for an undivided Sri Lanka, with differing opinions. A unitary structure will be pursued.

"The Prime Minister will listen to the people, take their views and then decide. He will come to a consensus. The south should come to a consensus. That is what even Prabhakaran has said," he said. Samaraweera added that they will not be prepared to abide by the "Oslo Declaration", as even the LTTE has rejected it.