APRC parties reach consensus on three vital issues
Manjula Fernando
COLOMBO: All Party Representatives Committee (APRC) Chairman
Prof.Tissa Vitharana said the political parties have reached consensus
on the three main co-issues of a future power-sharing structure, leaving
half of its workload finished.
“We have reached consensus on three of the most controversial
co-issues,” Prof.Vitharana said adding that he was hopeful of delivering
a final document within a months time. But he declined to spell out the
three areas the political parties reached a consensus on.
The Parties which were having a marathon of weekly meetings for the
past four weeks, after submitting their individual proposals a month
ago, were taking up each co-issue to weigh among themselves and reach
common ground.
“We have dealt with the most difficult ones and others will be easy
to cope as we move along.”
Vitharana offered 20 main proposals, that could be used as a basis of
a future constitution, prepared based on the past discussions of the
representatives, on January 8 and subsequently invited the 13 political
parties in the APRC to submit amendments.
The proposals in his document outlined the State - as free sovereign
and independent, Form of Government, Electoral system, Supremacy of
Constitution, Power sharing at the centre/in the provinces, Unit of
devolution (9 provinces), Judiciary, Distribution of funds, Defence and
national security among other things.
Most of the Tamil parties including TULF Leader V. Anandasangaree,
welcomed the Vitharana proposals as a sound basis for future peace
talks. But some parties such as the JHU and the JVP opposed, criticising
the proposals created the ground for a federal structure.
All 13 parties including the main opposition UNP submitted their
inputs and they are now debating these among the representatives. The
TNA and the JVP are not involved in the process.
The APRC held its longest meeting on Monday from 2.30pm to 9.30 pm.
Asked if the reports that the Tamil and Muslim parties have joined
forces within the APRC, were true, he said there were no gang ups and
the minorities had opposing views over the issue they put up for
discussion on Monday but have expressed consenting ideas on certain
others. |