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by DEEPAL WARNAKULASURIYA, DON ASOKA WIJEWARDENA and P. Krishnaswamy

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa expressing his views on the current political situation of the country, said that having a general election at this crucial juncture would not solve the problems of the people as the country was facing an economic crisis. "This is not a time for an election", he said. The LTTE is seeking every possible chance over petty differences to move away from the peace process. It is upto the government to decide whether to go for an election or create an atmosphere conducive to peace," he added.

The Opposition Leader said that the PA was ready for an election at any time but as honest politicians they did not want to burden the public by spending a colossal sum on another election. The people are now struggling to survive the high cost of living, amidst bribery, corruption, privatisation of profitable ventures as well as services. "We do not want to further inconvenience the public with another burden," he added.

The Opposition Leader said that the clash between the President and the Prime Minister should be terminated soon as it was not acceptable or cultured politics. He pointed out that the President was the Head of State and Head of the Executive and urged the Government to work in co-operation and co=ordination with opposition parties. Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and Minister Rauff Hakeem: "The ongoing conflict is a tussle between the Executive and the legislature.

It is a question about politics and consensus between these two institutions. Our argument is that this level of rivalry or antagonism should not reach a point where it destroys crucial measures taken by the government to develop the country both socially and economically. As for elections, the government wants to resolve the present stalemate through constitutional changes. Whether we will go for an election or not will depend on the outcome of this process. Significant progress has been made on the peace process and it is indeed a commendable achievement."

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa said that it was a tactfully fabricated story which was broadcast over the radio and TV. He said the UNF government would never go for an election so soon. "This is only a trick on their part to 'grab' some feeble and frail MPs from the PA. The UNF intends to introduce several bills before Parliament for which it needs a two-third majority to pass them. But, they would not succeed in doing so," he said.

Weerawansa said that there was no such clash between the Constitution and the Executive, but there was one between certain Ministers and the President. "It is indeed very sad to note that parliamentarians had stooped to such low standards, with selfishness and opportunism," he added. He said that on the pretext of the MoU, the LTTE had strengthened their position in the North and East whereas the government packed its camps with security forces. He challenged the government to hold a free and fair election and see whether it could win".

Leader of the Sihala Urumaya, Thilak Karunaratne, referring to the clashes between the President and the Premier said that rulers being crazy for power was very dangerous for a country. "Today, what we see in the political arena is nothing but craze for power. A country must have a common agenda and its rulers must work accordingly. A strong cohabitation between the President and the Prime Minister is the prime need of the country."

"Going for an election is a very unfortunate thing. People can't afford it. From 1997, we have had elections with the public paying the price unnecessarily," the SU leader said. He said that today in the North and East there was an LTTE administration and a de-facto Eelam regime. "Administration of the area was dominated by the LTTE. If they had their own banks, police stations, army personnel and other facilities, the Government would have nothing to do there. During the time of the so-called peace process, they made the Government do what they wanted," Karunaratne added.

LSSP Leader Batty Weerakhoon, said that the UNP was blaming the President sayiing that she was unwilling to cohabit with the Government. At this critical juncture, the Prime Minister and the President should work in unison to overcome any problem which might lead to a major constitutional crisis adding: "In my opinion, holding another election will not solve the crux of the problem at all as we are in a conflict situation. We cannot see any major progress in the peace process," he said.

NLF leader Dr. Wickremabahu Karunaratne: "This is an unfortunate situation because the President is guided by the JVP in accordance with the MoU signed by the JVP and the PA. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe made a fundamental mistake on July 4 by announcing a socio-economic policy against the working class and the Left movement in the country. Although the President had said that she would not use her executive powers, the JVP and the military are urging her to use them. What the Prime Minister has done at this stage of the peace process is to start a confrontation with working forces who were in agreement with it.The July 4th declaration of the Prime Minister has led the JVP,various trade unions and other working-class groups to launch strikes and picketing campaigns against the Government."

MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena,: "The President has executive powers as she has been elected by a majority 50 per cent vote.At the last general election the UNP also secured a majority, but both the Prime Minister and President should work in unison with a sense of responsibility at this juncture, forgetting party differences.If the government cannot govern the country,it should report to the President.The present situation has brought about a negative effect on the economy,which hampers the development of the country which would in turn discourage foreign investment.We are not aware of any major breakthrough in the peace process", he said.

Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) Senior Vice President Joseph Pararajasingham, MP: "A general election at this time will certainly undermine the ongoing peace process. The two major political parties must cohabitate in the interests of settling this national issue.

" The MoU is moving on the right direction although some aspects of it have not been implemented on time. It is the duty of the major political parties to push it forward instead of trying to disrupt it."

Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) spokesman R. Yogarajan, MP: "Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has a very clear perception of the current national issues. It is the duty of every party to extend its co-operation for the smooth functioning of the UNF government which was elected by the people. There is no need for another election at this time."

National Unity Alliance (NUA) President Ferial Ashraff, M.P.: "Another snap general election will make people lose confidence in the democratic process. There should be a consensus between the Prime Minister and the President. It is not right to go before the people so soon seeking a fresh mandate."

Up-country People's Front (UPF) Leader and Minister P. Chandrasekaran: " The President should cohabitate with the UNF government which has been elected by the people. Any political instability will lead to an economic chaos. The ruling UNF government too should adopt a similar flexible stance. A majority of the parliamentarians and the people of the country are against a snap general election."

Eelam People's Democratic Party's (EPDP) former parliamentarian S. Thavarajah: "The two major political parties should forget their political differences and join hands to resolve the ethnic problem. Another general election would not solve the current problems. Under the present constitution, not a single party can get a two-third majority." All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) General Secretarey N. Kumarakurubaran: "We are against a general election at this time because it may weaken the ongoing peace process.

A lasting peace is the need of the hour. This is the last and final opportunity left to resolve the ethnic problem. Therefore, all political parties of the majority community should consider it and extend their support for the government."

People's Liberation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) President T. Sitharthan, MP: "The Government and the LTTE must start direct talks to find a political solution to the ethnic problem. The PA and the UNP should set aside their political ambitions and adopt a bipartisan approach. I do not see any need for an election now."

Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) President Selvam Adaikkalanathan, MP: " Dissolution of parliament and elections will undermine the ongoing peace process. Neither will the people like it. The UNF government's efforts to resolve the ethnic problem are laudable. The President should extend her co-operation towards that end on national interest."

Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF-S) General Secretary Suresh Premachandran: "In Sri Lanka, the primary problem is the Tamil national question. If the President realises this, she should extend her co-operation to the UNF government to resolve it.

"The Prime Minister too should act in a similar manner. We request them to act as statesmen at this hour of national crisis."

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