New proposals within next two months to solve N-E conflict - Health Minister

Nadira Gunatilleke

KANTALE: The Government will bring a set of new proposals within the next two months to solve the North East conflict, Health Care and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said.

He was addressing the gathering after opening a new OPD built at Kantale hospital at a cost of Rs. 28 million recently. He laid the foundation stone for hospital quarters to be built at a cost of Rs. 20 million. Kantale hospital which was taken over by the Central Government is to be upgraded at a cost of Rs. 80 million.

Minister De Silva said that the country needs power devolution in order to solve several problems that exist at the moment including the North East conflict. "Without power devolution the country cannot push forward and therefore I always stand for this step", he added.

Explaining the objective of taking over Kantale hospital, Minister De Silva said that taking over of the hospital does not mean taking back powers endowed to the Provincial Council. The Government and myself believe that power should be shared in a more wider way in order to solve the problems.

The Government does not believe that only war will solve the North East conflict and therefore it will bring political proposals within the next two months for the Tamil community living in Sri Lanka, but meanwhile the Government will launch counter attacks in order to weaken the terrorists, he said.

Minister De Silva pointed out that there is a setback in some of the sectors due to North East conflict. The Government has allocated the biggest ever allocation, Rs.65 million for the health sector this year.

The Government will not cut down a single cent which it allocates for National Security, Health and Education sectors. "We cannot keep this conflict for ever. Therefore the Government is devoted to peace while launching counter attacks, he added.