Positive response for APC - Prime Minister

COLOMBO: It is heartening to note that 15 out of 17 political parties represented in Parliament have responded positively towards the All Party Conference (APC) set up by the President to find a lasting solution to the national problem.

The Prime Minister said this during discussions with a visiting British Parliamentary delegation at the Prime Minister’s office recently. The delegation was led by Batty Williams.

The final decision taken by the APC will be a national decision and this too is a positive development, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake.

Fielding questions posed by the British MPs, the Prime Minister said terrorism is today limited to only two districts.

An accelerated development programme has been launched in the Eastern province which was liberated from terrorists’ clutches recently.

“The Government will take steps to stabilise democracy in the East by holding local Government elections there soon, the Premier said. He said power had been devolved to the provinces in terms of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

Education, health Co-operatives and other public services were devolved functions while the Security Forces and Police were controlled by the Central Government.

Williams said she was pleased with Government’s efforts to find a positive solution to the national problem and wished it all success.