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by P. Krishnaswamy and Deepal Warnakulasuriya

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's invitation to all political parties to form a Government of National Reconciliation and Reconstruction, and the three rounds of talks with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe which led to the appointment of the Tittawela-Samaraweera Committee, to arrive at a consensus on matters of national importance, have evoked these reactions from academics, political analysts and leaders of civil society:

Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission and Director, International Centre for Ethnic Studies: "The President and the Prime Minister have set up a committee to reach consensus on matters of national importance. This is an excellent beginning and I hope this will lead to joint efforts with regard to the peace process and the economy."

Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, President of the Sarvodaya Movement: "Not only the President and Prime Minister, but all political and national leaders should get-together at this time to decide on a minimum agenda, including the peace process. If they do not do that, I can predict that we will perish.

To me, this is not a political crisis, but it is what you can call a civilization crisis. Such a crisis can only be faced if all leaders work with a universal vision and not on party, political, linguistic or religious divisions."

Dr. Jayadeva Uyangoda, Professor of Political Science, University of Colombo: "What is really meaningful and necessary is not a national government or national reconciliation but a framework for partnership between the executive and the legislature, with a limited agenda. That agenda can have two main items, viz: (i) how to approach the second phase of negotiations with the LTTE, and (ii) reforms in the existing constitution. Therefore, the UNP and the PA should work out a strategic framework of co-operation and partnership.

To achieve that partnership, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga should enter into a constructive dialogue. Secondly, the PA and the UNP should enter into some kind of 'cessation of hostilities agreement' at least for a period of one year so that the political situation in Colombo would be stabilised. They should also appoint a joint task force to formulate a strategic framework on co-operation and modalities of partnership. They should also have the responsibility as well as the power in promoting both the peace process and the constitutional reform. That is what is necessary to come out of the present crisis."

Dr. Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu, Executive Director, Centre for Policy Alternatives: "The present political crisis arises from the power struggle between the President and the Prime Minister and their respective political parties. A national government in itself will not resolve the crisis. What is necessary is for the PA and the UNP to place their relationship and their co-operation on a more mature foundation which takes into account the interests of the country at large."

M. I. M. Mohideen, Secretary General, North-East Peace Assembly: "There is a constitutional crisis and there is a question mark over the peace process. The Norwegians have suspended their facilitatory role. Under these circumstances, the President should exercise her executive powers in the best interests of the country and the people.

She should come to a clear understanding with the Prime Minister in order to press forward the peace process. To end the war and to restore lasting peace, the core issues should be addressed in the right spirit so that a solution could be found within a united Sri Lanka, under federal set up."

Rev. Fr. Nesakumar, Archdeacon, Church of Ceylon, Jaffna: The political leaders of the South are now talking of a national government. The people of the North, particularly those of Jaffna, want to know whether such a government is for restoring peace or for waging a war? Our people have suffered enough for several decades.

The UNP government led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe made some constructive efforts to resolve the national crisis and held direct dialogue with the LTTE through the Norwegian facilitation and the dialogue reached a point where the LTTE, for the first time, submitted their proposals.

After the recent political developments in the South, the Norwegians have suspended their facilitatory role and it is now the question of 'setting up of a national government'. If that becomes impossible, all efforts so far made towards restoring lasting peace in the country will go back to zero."

Dr. M. H. C. J. Ian, Committee Chairman of the National Unity and Integration of International Lions Association: Unavailability of a recognised duty for the Opposition is the mostly highlighted weak point in the current Parliamentary system.

The government MPs treat their voters, the Opposition MPs have to wait inactive. "That is the reason which persuades them to think and work for regime changes. Therefore, the system should be changed giving some tasks to the opposition MPs. Solving the national problem will not be easy till we overcome that barrier". I appreciate the President's move for a national consensus.

We were too late for a national government, it should have been done few years back. President Chandrika Kumaratunga's mandate in 1999 and the UNF's mandate in 2001 cannot be compared since both the mandates have completely different identities.

He also worried over financial loss as well as possible loses of human lives in an early election and said that the best solution is work for a national consensus.

Rangiri Dambulla Vihara, Chief Incumbent Ven. Sumangala Thera: The suggestion for a Government of National Reconciliation and Reconstruction was too late and however, the political parties had received the final chance to do something for the country. "Parties may have their own agendas but the time has come them to keep those away for a while and join together for the country's betterment.

The invitation should have come from the ruling party to the opposition. "However, the government still have the chance to challenge the Opposition asking them to prove that they can solve the national problem". President's move gave an opportunity to decide the genuineness and flexibility of the parties.

They should work together at least for a period of five years and it would offer opportunities enough to get the problem solved.

Embilipitiya, Dharmayathana Vihara Chief Prelate Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera: It is a must and should not delay further. "But, both the major parties first of all should verify why they should reach a compromise. If is not for the country and only for their political stability, it would do nothing for the country". We urge the political parties to stop working for petty political advantages and work for a national consensus which all the communities could be accepted.

The country does not have an ethnic problem but has only a terrorist invasion. "Unfortunately, both the major parties have taken this as an ethnic problem and this attitude should be changed. Even the JVP and other political parties should also be invited for a national consensus".

STONE 'N' STRING

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