Govt holds talks with EPDP, TNA

A discussion took place between the government delegation and a delegation representing the EPDP at 5.45 p.m. on May 12 at the Presidential Secretariat.

The government delegation consisted of Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Prof. G.L. Peiris and Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, MP.

The EPDP delegation comprised Murugesu Chandrakumar, G Rajakumar, K Dayananda.

There was a discussion on a set of proposals presented by the government delegation on the establishment of a Second Chamber. Several options regarding the composition of the Second Chamber were discussed.

The EPDP delegation agreed to consider the ideas contained in the paper and to come back with their response on the next occasion.

The EPDP delegation also raised some issues with regard to the powers and functions of the central government and the Provincial Councils. The government delegation agreed to discuss these in depth. The EPDP delegation raised with the Government delegation several matters connected with High Security Zones, and these were discussed.

The two delegations agreed to meet again on June 23.

Meanwhile, the sixth round of talks between the government delegation and the TNA delegation took place at 4.00 p.m. on May 12 at the Presidential Secretariat.

The government delegation consisted of Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Prof. G.L. Peiris and Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha.

The delegation representing the TNA comprised R Sampanthan, Marvai Senathiraja, Suresh Premachandra, M A Sumanthiran, K Kanag-Iswaran PC.

The division of subjects between the centre and the Provincial Councils was taken up for preliminary discussion, and the two sides agreed to continue this discussion at the next meeting.

The government delegation presented a paper containing tentative proposals, in the alternative, regarding the creation of a Second Chamber.

The TNA delegation undertook to study the paper and to respond.

It was agreed to have the next meeting on June 23.