A vibrant Opposition, a pressing need
by Uditha KUMARASINGHE
Posts Minister Jeevan Kumaranatunga said that if the Opposition is
sincere, it should support the move to set up a Parliamentary Select
Committee (PSC) to find a lasting solution to the problems faced by the
people in the North and the East.
The people will then accept that the Opposition is genuine in
fulfilling its duty on behalf of the country with a sense of
responsibility.
However, it is regreted that the present Opposition does not seem to
be sincere in its efforts, the Minister told the Sunday Observer.
He said that if the Opposition had acted in the interest of the
people in the North and the East and their problems it would have earned
more public support.
At present there is no strong Opposition and it is in total disarray.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to appoint a PSC for all
political parties to sit together and discuss this issue.
It is the responsibility of the main Opposition UNP and all other
Sinhala and Tamil political parties to nominate their representatives to
the PSC.
Else whatever protests made outside will not produce any fruitful
results and it will certainty delay the process.
The President and the Government have a genuine desire to provide a
lasting solution to this problem. Therefore, all Tamil political parties
should engage in a dialogue with the Government to reach a consensus, he
said.
I think there is nothing wrong with the present Opposition if it acts
with a sense of responsibility.
However it has involved itself in various internal squabbles rather
than identifying its legitimate role.
The Minister said that the Opposition, should offer constructive
criticism on the Government's programs.
However, the sole intention of the present Opposition is to sabotage
the Government's efforts.
This has led to various factions within the Opposition itself.
Some Opposition politicians say that if the main Opposition UNP
continues to act in this manner, they will be further rejected by the
people.
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