'PSC, a forum for all views'

Nethali STRUYS

The main purpose of appointing a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) is to gather ideas and views of all parties and communities to reunite the nation, said National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara.

'The PSC is the best measure for finding a lasting solution to the conflict. No hostile force can challenge the ethnic solidarity which united the nation and no element will be allowed to divide the nation again, the Senior Minister said.

'No one should disturb the peace and harmony that was gained after 30 years of war. If someone is making statements to create conflicts they are nothing but shallow minded extremists.

He said no country could achieve sustainable development without peace and harmony among the people and where Sri Lanka is concerned peace and harmony among all ethnic groups would come only through genuine power devolution.

'We need all the support we can get in creating a people's mandate for creating an ethical society. 'Therefore, we invite all people's representatives, parties and others to get-together in developing a positive response to safeguard the country's peace.

"Some people are trying to create incidents such as the grease monster myth to cause conflicts", the Minister pointed out.

'Although the incident which took place in Kahawatha did not extend to a community conflict, the Kinniya incident did.

'That's because there are extremist groups who went on creating tensions. New Left Front Leader Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkaera said if anyone thought that the war was over and India's support was not necessary anymore, it was wrong. "We cannot resolve the ethnic problem without India's support.

'It is as simple as that," he said. "There were 16 constituent parties in the government and five in the Opposition. All these political parties in Parliament must adopt a give and take policy and compromise to bring the most suitable and pragmatic proposals to resolve the ethnic issue," he added.