Government on strong footing to solve ethnic conflict - Public Administration Minister

Daya PERERA and Sarath SAMARANAYAKA

COLOMBO: "When we look back after 58 years since independence, Sri Lanka has not been able to solve the ethnic conflict in the country.

"As this problem could not be allowed to aggravate and to be passed on to the future generations, the decision was taken to join the Government instead of cooperating with the Government while remaining in the Opposition," said former UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya who was sworn in as the Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs, yesterday.

Minister Jayasuriya expressed this sentiment when his political supporters and well wishers received him after taking oaths before President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his new portfolio.

The Maha Sangha chanted "Seth Pirith" to invoke the blessings of the Triple Gem on him.

Minister Jayasuriya said that as a result of the democratic UNP group and the Muslim Congress joining the Government, a new United Political Alliance has emerged capable of proposing a lasting solution to the ethnic conflict.

He said the Government is on a strong footing to solve ethnic conflict.

He further said that his group will remain in the United National Party and work with the Government while taking steps to redress the grievances of 39000 persons who were politically victimized throughout the past 13 years.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa made a request to accept the vision of the "Mahinda Chintanaya". It has received a Public Mandate. Accordingly, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in October last year. Steps were taken to prepare a machinery to implement that MoU.

Examples were taken from countries like India and Europe and suggestions were made to formulate an Executive Committee system based on the framework of the old Donoughmore Constitution and act with consensus at least for a limited period of three years. Yet for all nothing took place so far. Therefore, this decision was taken to join the Government.

We are intent upon traversing a new political path away from hatred. We shall not desert the UNP. We continue to remain within it and foster our love for the people and our party, emphasised the new Minister.

Newly appointed Ministers Milinda Moragoda, Hemakumara Nanayakkara, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and Navin Dissanayake were among the many well-wishers who arrived at his residence on this occasion.