Vasu optimistic TNA will attend PSC

Suraj A Bandara

National Languages and Social Integration Senior Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara was optimistic that the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) will be appointed this week in order to find a permanent political solution to the ethnic problem in a bid to arrive at a consensus among all political parties.

Senior Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara

Since Parliament is a vibrant democratic institution and it represents all parties and all ethnic groups it will be the easiest way to find a permanent solution to this problem, he told the Daily News.

He said Chief Government Whip Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva will forward the proposal within this week and Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa will nominate the representatives for the Parliamentary Select Committee.

When queried about the participation of Opposition political parties, Minister Nanayakkara said many political parties have consented to the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee to find an answer to the ethnic problem. The UNP is already of the opinion that they would participate while other minor political parties have given their consent.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will also join hands with the PSC since that will be an open forum to discuss the problems and finalize the solution, he said.

"I am fully confident that the TNA will also attend the PSC", he said.

He said it was the view of many party leaders and MPs that the search for a solution should not be confined to discussions with one party. They saw the need to give an opportunity to Parliament, comprising all parties and groups within it, to consider a solution.

The Select Committee will ensure collective responsibility of Parliament, and give ear to the concerns of all parties, the minister added.

"The PSC will go ahead with its negotiations once it is constituted with the consent of all parties represented in Parliament. Whether other political parties would support it or not the PSC will function to find a lasting solution," he said.