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| Sunday, 23 November 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Business Forum keen on consensus The Joint Business Forum considering the situation that has arisen due to the recent political developments including the decision to prorogue Parliament has requested the President and the Prime Minister to arrive at a consensus and sign an MoU once an agreement is reached. "We are of the view that if the current crisis is resolved expeditiously, it will result in a revival of confidence of the donor agencies and foreign investors in Sri Lanka and effectively convert the present crisis into an opportunity for future growth and development of our country." The Joint Business Forum has forwarded six proposals to resolve the crisis. According to the proposal the Ministries of Defence and Internal security should be placed under the purview of the government with ministers appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. A suitable structure should be formulated to allow a greater role by the President in matters concerning defence and internal security by establishing a Defence Council with the President as the chairperson which will discuss and resolve policy matters while day to day defence functions will be handled by the Minister in Charge of Defence. The Media Ministry should also come under the purview of the Government with the minister appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. However steps should be taken to ensure that the reporting on political issues through the state media are monitored by an independent committee to ensure that all political views are disseminated without bias. The Prime Minister to be totally responsible for negotiations with the LTTE. Consensus to be achieved on the basis of negotiations with the LTTE with both parties agreeing on a common platform and the President to be advised officially regularly on the progress of negotiations. No dissolution of Parliament should take place at this juncture as it would have serious financial implications on the economy, negative impact on the peace process and the general stability of the country. Joint efforts to be made to counter the adverse international publicity as a result of the prorogation of Parliament and the announcement of an emergency which has been communicated globally on international networks like BBC and CNN. |
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