Attanayake's statement reminds of old adage yanne koheda, malle pol: Warnapala

COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka Freedom Party joint media spokesman Minister Viswa Warnapala referring to UNP Deputy General Secretary Tissa Attanayake's claim that the President's main objective in appointing an All Party Constitutional Advisory Committee was to destroy the JVP and deceive the country rather than a genuine intention to resolve the North and East problem, said it seemed that Attanayake was against the Government's genuine efforts to build a consensus in finding a solution to this problem.

Warnapala in a press release said yesterday the President decided to consult the views of all political parties who have entered the democratic mainstream represented in Parliament with the true intention of finding a lasting political solution to the ethnic problem which will ensure justice and fairplay to all communities.

Attanayake in a special statement had said the President had decided to appoint an All party Constitutional Consultative Committee with the intention of destroying the JVP and deceiving the country rather than finding a solution to the North and East problem.

The Minister said Attanayake is famous for expressing such strange views through press statements issued from time to time.

When one considered Attanayake's views which are far from the truth it was evident that he was against the Government's efforts to reach a consensus in finding a solution to the North and East problem. In the past too state leaders have conducted APCs in an effort to find a solution to the North and East problem.

Attanayake should ask his conscience whether certain decisions taken by UNP leaders behind the backs of their ministers had helped to clear the way for a solution to this problem or further complicated it, Warnapala said.

Attanayake who says that the 1943 Soulbury Constitution was formulated by an Act passed by Cabinet, 1972 Constitution was framed by a Parliamentary Constitutional Council and the 1978 Constitution by a Parliamentary Select Committee, claims that the President is acting contrary to these precedents in the constitutional process of seeking a solution to the Northern problem.

One who reads Attanayake's statement is reminded of the old adage Yanne Koheda, Malle Pol, the Minister said.

Even a child will understand that the political and social environment in 1943, 1972 and 1978 was much different to that of today and today's actions should be much different to the actions taken several decades ago.

At a time when the International Community has reached a consensus regarding terrorist activities of the LTTE, the President has understood the importance of reaching a consensus in national politics too and all parties represented in Parliament have approved his programme. Although past Governments made several constitutional amendments, the LTTE rejected every one of them.

The President has made an open request from the LTTE to send its proposals to this Constitutional Council either directly or through another political party. The President's and the Government's sole intention is to solve the North and East crisis through discussion and negotiation and create a country in which all could live without fear or suspicion, Warnapala said.