Democracy will reign in North, East soon - President

Rohan Mathes

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted on Friday that the Opposition parties are striving to set the Executive and the Legislature on a collision path.

The President made this assertion when he addressed a special meeting of the SLFP District and Electoral organisers at Temple Trees.

He pointed out that the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary were intended to be free and independent and therefore they have to be viewed in that perspective, sans political or personal bias. President Rajapaksa said that following the local Government elections due to be held shortly in the East, his Government will also take steps to establish democracy and rights to all communities in the land, inclusive of those in the North.

The SLFP’s plans for 2008, the Government’s future development plans, inclusive of the East and the consolidation of civil security were discussed at the meeting in which Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, Party’s General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena, Treasurer Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and a host of Ministers and Party Organisers attended.

At the meeting, President Rajapaksa pointed out that although the SLFP had proposed the devolution of power at District level, his Government adopted a more flexible approach to solve the national issue in line with the country’s existing Constitution.

They have now accepted the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) proposals to devolve power at provincial level.

“At a time the Government is earnestly seeking a sustainable political solution to the national problem, to avert a betrayal, division and fragmentation of the country, the APRC is of the view that the 13th Amendment to the Constitution is a classic beginning,” he said.

“It is our duty to provide every citizen, the right and the opportunity of working in his own language, anywhere in the country. We should soon devise a mechanism by which everyone’s requirements are catered for and fulfilled, irrespective of whether he is a Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim or Burgher,” he added.

He stressed the importance of providing a political solution, political freedom and then paving a way for development for the people in the North and the East, after its liberation from the LTTE, for a Government which is fully committed to fulfil the aspirations of all communities.

He also outlined the mega development projects undertaken by the Government both at national and village level and directed the party members at all levels, to take full responsibility and achieve their targets in unity and full commitment for the country’s future prosperity.

SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena addressing the meeting, outlined the party’s future programme, the proposed 18th General Party summit and the Women’s Summit.

Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage outlined the national structure and the progress of the newly formed Civil Security Committees.