Southern consensus emerging - Defence Spokesman

Rashomi Silva

COLOMBO: The Government yesterday said an unprecedented prospect was appearing on the country's political horizon with the two main Southern political rivals building consensus for resolving the ethnic issue.

Government Defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukweklla said that for the first time in the post-independence history, the UNP and the SLFP, the country's two main political contenders have understand the need for cooperating with one another in resolving the ethnic issue.

"Today we have somewhat succeeded in trying to bring the two main political parties together," Rambukwella said.

"During last 57 years when the party in power tried to bring a solution to the ethnic problem the one in the opposition blocked it," he said.

"This presents an unequalled opportunity," the Minister said adding that the main political parties together with other political forces can build a platform on which the country can resolve the conflict.

He said the unfortunate incident of 1983 has created a forum for the LTTE to emerge as the 'liberator' of the Tamil community, "but today the so called liberators has taken a totally different path".

"Today they have eliminated the entire Tamil leadership with a few exceptions," he said adding that the International community led by United States and neighbouring India now understood the correct face of the LTTE.