UNP appeals to SLFP moderates to back Ranil

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

Both the UNP and the SLFP has a big responsibility to save the country from extremist forces and defeat any agenda of such elements who are trying to ruin the country, UNP's Deputy General Secretary Tissa Attanayake stressed yesterday.

"As the two main political parties of the country, we have a duty to save this country from extremist forces. We will not allow anyone to divide this country and we will build a united Sri Lanka," Attanayake told a press briefing yesterday at the opposition leaders' office.

He said the President, UNP and SLFP have accepted the Oslo declaration as the basis for solving the country's ethnic problem to usher in lasting peace in the country.

Attanayake stressed that the UNP would continue the peace process according to the Oslo declaration. "If Premier Rajapakse follows the JVP agenda, the country would be pushed into a crisis."

" The big question today is what is the stance of Premier Mahinda Rajapakse on the peace process. Is it the stance of SLFP, JVP or JHU" ?

Attanayake also questioned whether Premier Rajapakse accepted the Oslo declaration which is hailed by the international community and donors. "The JVP which is the main ally of Premier Rajapakse had stated that they would not accept the Oslo declaration.

If so what is Premier's view about the JVP stance ?" He emphasised that political leaders should not betray their policies just to win elections. "Premier Rajapakse's 'Mahinda Chinthanaya' has no clear solutions or programmes for the country's burning problems. Besides, many parties and persons claim ownership to this Chinthanaya."

Attanayake described Mahinda Chinthanaya as "Ehinda Chinthatayak" (Borrowed Thinking) as it contains various contradictory views. from here and there."It is a collection for a fairy tale and would not help to improve the economy or take the country forward."

He said P-TOMS was presented to Parliament by Premier Mahinda Rajapakse who was also a member of the Cabinet which approved it.

"Now the same person has agreed to do away with the P-TOMS for political advantage. Can the public keep have confidence in such a leader? There should be a stable policy. Premier Rajapakse must make a clear statement on this."

Former Minister and Kandy district UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella said Premier Rajapakse has betrayed the policies of the SLFP.

He explained that during the last few years, a consensus has been emerging between the two main parties UNP and SLFP on resolving the country's ethnic question.

He stressed that a better understanding between the two parties is necessary to solve the national question. "Look at the Northern-Ireland conflict. There is a consensus between the two main parties that has helped to resolve the problems there." Kiriella noted that a vote for Premier Rajapakse is not a vote for the SLFP. "Therefore, I request moderates in the SLFP to rally round UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to defeat extremists and bring peace to the country."

He said for the first time in the history, a political leader has invited the leader of the main opposition even before the election to join hands to solve the country's main problems.

"UNP leader Wickremesinghe has invited the SLFP for a joint program to solve the national question."

UNP's Galle district MP Gayantha Karunatilake said the SLFP is currently facing a crisis as their candidate Premier Rajapakse has become a prisoner of the JVP.

He saw no great difference in the approach between the UNP and SLFP to resolve the ethnic question and bring peace. "Therefore, we request the moderate SLFP members to join hands with the UNP to protect the SLFP."