South must unite to find 'marketable' solution to national question - PM

The biggest challenge the country faces today is finding a solution to the national question for which successive Governments failed, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake said.

President Mahinda Rajapakse's government determined to make a fresh bid on a new vision to find a 'marketable' solution to the problem in a pragmatic manner by first reaching a consensus among political parties of the South of a possible solution to the problem. Such a consensus would greatly facilitate in reaching a solution at future peace talks," the Prime Minister told a meeting at Ingiriya in Horana.

The ceremony was to distribute student scholarships under "Sipdora" Programme to 65 children of Samurdhi Recipients organised by the Samurdhi Development Ministry at the Ingiriya Pradeshiya Sabha Office.

Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi presided.

Horana SLFP Chief Organiser Vidura Wickramanayaka was also present.

The Prime Minister said President Rajapakse looks at the problem in a pragmatic and realistic manner and attempted to find a solution by taking into consideration the ground realities.

"He is now holding talks separately with parties represented in Parliament to arrive at an understanding on a common approach. If we try to unilaterally put forward a solution that would not succeed. We would agree only to a solution agreed to by all parties which could be marketable and acceptable to Parliament," Wickramanayaka said.

The Prime Minister said the previous President brought many constitutions but failed to make it acceptable to Parliament.

"We will have to learn lessons from those past experiences. Certain parties change their stances at various times. It is for this reason that we are trying to discuss the problem with all parties to make them shift from their positions and arrive at an agreeable uniform solution. We cannot solve problems by adopting a kettata polla attitude," he said.

The Prime Minister said the present Budget has brought many benefits to the poor. Wickramanayaka congratulated the Samurdhi Minister for the various programmes launched for Samurdhi beneficiary families.

He said the second biggest challenge facing the Government is to relieve the people from their economic hardships and help lead a life without fear or favour, have a house of their own and lead self reliant lives.

"But these facilities are yet to be realised by the people.

The Government has chartered a definite path to relieve the people of these burdens and all sections of the people should give their full backing to the President in this endeavour," the Prime Minister said. He said schools and temples should take the lead in leading the younger generation towards a disciplined and value based society upholding moral values and dignity.

"Today there is evidence that there is harassment of family members due to fathers being drunk. It should be the duty of parents to veer children away from vices which had become a menace. The school and the temple should take the lead in leading the children towards respecting age-old traditions and values," the Prime Minister said.