‘Political solution should not be a mere document’

Danushka Godakumbura

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that the political solution to be worked out for the Northern people should not be limited only to a mere document, but it should be a practical solution capable of solving all the problems faced by them.

The minister who explained that the government did not intend to give some sort of a solution to the Northern population, pointed out that the government’s intention was to give a permanent solution lasting for a long period.

Minister Rajapaksa rejected allegations that the government was merely consuming time without working out a solution and made it clear that the Parliamentary Select Committee had proposed that there should be a political solution within a period of six months which he said was a victory as it gives a solution within six months for a problem which lasted for 30 years.

The minister made this observation when he met Tamil medium newspaper and radio journalists in the Northern peninsula.

Minister Rajapaksa answered questions raised for about two hours at the media discussion held at the Economic Development Ministry together with editors and representatives of newspapers-Thinakaran, Udayan, Sudaroli, Veerakesari and Navamini. The minister disclosed that quick solutions would be found for the political problem in the North and urged the Tamil speaking people to be confident.

Mass Media and Information Ministry Secretary W B Ganegala, Coconut Development Ministry Secretary Anura Siriwardena, Northern Province Governor G A Chandrasiri, Government’s Information Director General Prof Ariyaratne Athugala and Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd Editorial Director Seelaratne Senerath, were also present.