Parliamentary Select Committee, forum for settling ethnic issue:

JVP’s stance on PSC queried

*PSC only platform for collective stand

*Party should make formal statement

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The government yesterday reiterated that the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) is the only forum where a lasting settlement to the ethnic issue can be found through discussion among various political parties and the JVP should express its stance on the PSC soon.

According to Acting Media Minister and Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, the JVP has failed to announce whether they are participating in the PSC so far though various reports appeared in the media that the party would not be present in the Committee.

Acting Media Minister Abeywardena said the JVP has started forwarding their proposals in respect of solving the national issue to its Central Committee and mass media.

He said there is no point of presenting their proposals and views to their own Central Committee. “They should present these proposals to the PSC and they can be discussed,” he said.

The UNP has agreed to participate in the PSC proposed by the government to achieve a lasting solution to the ethnic issue.

The UNP announced this decision following a meeting between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

‘This is a very positive and admirable act which should be followed by all the other political parties.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing at the Government Information Department Auditorium yesterday, he said the JVP had told some sections of the media that they will not participate in the PSC. But the JVP should make it clear by making an official and formal statement.

‘The JVP should take part in the PSC because it is the only platform in which they can table their proposals and views on the ethnic issue.

Acting Minister Yapa Abeywardena pointed out that there is no point in presenting their proposals and views to their own Central Committee and to the mass media.

Their proposals and views should be presented to the PSC and only then can they be discussed.

‘The UNP has acted in a commendable manner when it comes to the PSC. During a recent press briefing the UNP General Secretary stated that the UNP will take part in the PSC.

Acting Minister Yapa pointed out that the PSC is open to all political parties to participate in order to find a collective solution to the ethnic issue.

‘Political parties can sit together and hold lengthy discussions in the PSC which is one of the main components of our democratic framework.