APC formulating political solution

H. M. Abeysinghe Kuliyapitiya group corr.

The basic foundation of Mahinda Chinthana is granting justice, equal opportunities, democratic rights, human rights to all communities living in the Sri Lanka, said Minister of Science & Technology and Chairman All Party Conference Prof. Thissa Vitharana.

He was making the keynote address at the 16th Annual General meeting of Wayamba Lanka Human Rights Organisation (WLHRO) held in Pannala Community Hall.

The Minister said the APC is formulating a political solution for the resolution of the conflict. That may be devolution of powers in a unified country. Under whatever circumstances no room for separatism would be allowed. That is all what I can say at this stage.

He said, all the political parties affiliated to the UPFA and the Opposition parties such as SLMC and Basnahira Janatha Peramuna send their delegates to the APC. Only the TNA, UNP and JPV kept away from the sessions. So far we have held 104 sessions of the APC. However the opinion of the LTTE is immaterial under the present circumstances.

If the proposals we submit fit the Tamil and Muslim communities living in the North and East, there is no need to seek the opinion of the LTTE as they are found no longer the representatives of the Tamil Community. The solution is not for the LTTE but for the Tamil Community.

The Minister said, National unity that discards communalism and separatism is our target. I am optimistic that target could be achieved before long.

He said at this stage I must mention that human rights of all communities could be protected through our solution as that would grant justice and equal opportunities to all without ethnic or communal discrimination.

The Minister said the Opposition alleges that the Government gives priority only for the war and takes no interest on the economic issues.

That is an absolutely wrong allegation. The Government while launching humanitarian operation against the terrorists pays attention on other sectors too, especially on economic issues.

Stability of our economy was not shaken before the world economic depression that caused the collapse of banks and large-scale mercantile establishments in the capitalist countries. If not for our proper economic management the entire economy would have collapsed by now. The Chairman WLHRO T. H. S. Tennakoon, Secretary H. P. Gunasinghe and Chairman Kuliyapitiya Branch of WLHRO Maheepala Herath also spoke.