Devananda hands over new peace proposals to Mahanayaka Theras

Douglas Devananda, Secretary General of the EPDP and Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare, presented facts to the Prelates of Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters concerning his party’s three staged proposal aimed at resolving the problem of political rights of the Tamil speaking people recently.

The proposal included the establishment of two Interim Executive Councils for the North and East and many others for the administration of the two provinces until such time the Provincial Councils are set up to aid and advise the respective Governors and the President.

The Interim Executive Council shall consist of five members who will be appointed by the President from among representatives of the general public of the respective provinces. One among them will be appointed as Chairman of the Council by the President.

There shall be a Joint Executive Council to assist the Governors in respect of matters of mutual interest to the Northern Provincial Administration and Eastern Provincial Administration in the opinion of both Councils. The Chief Secretary of the Provincial Council will be the Secretary to the Interim Executive Council.

The subjects under the five Provincial Ministers shall be divided and appropriately assigned among the five members of the Interim Executive Council for the purpose of co-ordination.

In addition, there shall be an Expert Committee consisting expert/professionals on subjects devolved to the Provincial Councils up to a maximum of ten in number. Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera after receiving the proposals said that he had come to know about the Minister’s proposal and views through the media.

And that it was possible to resolve the problem of political rights of the Tamil speaking people and achieve peace and harmony by resorting to the Minister’s proposals.

The Mahanayaka Thera said that valuable lives had been lost due to this war. The sole intention of Prabhakaran, was to set up his hypothetical kingdom, no matter how many lives were lost.

Therefore the leaders in the South ought to take corrective steps to defeat terrorism and bring a solution to the problems of Tamil speaking people. The President is keen to bring a negotiated settlement.

A solution to the Tamil speaking people should be sought, at Provincial Council level as Minister Devananda has suggested. The Mahanayaka Thera also mentioned that he would speak about this proposals with the President in due course.

Ven. Mahanayaka Thera chanted “Seth Pirith” and blessed the Minister for success in his endeavour and also presented the Minister a souvenir with a Buddha statue.

Minister Devananda also met Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhitha Mahanayaka Thera of Asgiriya Chapter and handed over the memorandum containing his proposals. Here too, the Minister explained to the most Ven. Nayaka Thera that the problems of the Tamil speaking people were far wide apart from those of the Tigers.

He said that the problem of the Tigers was terrorism in nature. And so long as Prabhakaran lives this problem could not be solved because he feared the emergence of a democratic leader.

Having received the set of proposals Ven. Buddharakkhitha Mahanayaka Thera stated: “It is necessary to find a lasting political solution to the national problem after having fought terrorism. I am of the view that this set of proposals could be of immense use towards this effort.”

The Mahanayaka Thera further said that he always supported the view that devolution of power was the only way to solve the problem of Tamil speaking people. Thera also said that he would speak to the President about the Minister’s suggestions.

Both the prelates also made it a point to indicate that, as this set of proposals emanated from the Constitution itself, it was more practical than a totally new set of proposals.

Ven. Theras wished strength and courage to prevail with the Minister so that he could help create a United Sri Lanka where all communities could live with peace, harmony and honour.

They added that they were happy to see the Minister survive in spite of 13 attempts on his life by the Tiger leadership. The Hon. Minister was served with refreshments at both temples.

Maheshwary Velautham, Attorney-at-Law and Advisor to the Minister, Nelson Edirisinghe, Media Secretary to the Minister and Upali Jinadasa, an EPDP member participated at the discussion.