Ahamed lauds President's effort

COLOMBO: Presidential Advisor and Muslim National Alliance (MNA) leader Nazeer Ahamed said President Mahinda Rajapaksa had sought a Southern Consensus to resolve the national issue once and for all.

The MNA leader was addressing a delegation from the Eastern Province at the MNA headquarters at Borella on Sunday, he said in the past leaders had made meaningless endeavors to seek an international consensus to highlight the conflict. 'This has only damaged the country's reputation, He said for the first time a Southern Consensus is being sought in sincerity to solve a problem.

He said UNP's support for a Southern Consensus was of crucial importance. 'What is needed is a conciliatory approach towards all sections of society to make the President's bold move to bear fruit'.

Nonetheless, he appealed to the UNP leadership to shun party politics and co-operate with the President stating that the PA and the UNP jointly command 70% of the votes and thus the UNP's co-operation would strengthen the President's hand in his bold move to seek a Southern Consensus. Nazeer Ahamed said that at no time should anybody compromise national integrity.

He admired the President for his bold move and believed he was sincere and committed to his public pronouncements unlike past leaders.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa needed all the support he could get from all sections of Sri Lankan society he said.

He urged the delegates to convey his message to all people in the Eastern Province that the President was sincere and would not sacrifice the Muslim community for cheap political gain like certain leaders had done in the past.