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| Sunday, 5 September 2004 |
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Progress in peace front Ranil Wijayapala and Asanga Warnakulasuriya reporting from Galle The Government intends to invite all political parties within the next few weeks to ascertain their stance on the peace negotiations with the LTTE, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party 53rd anniversary celebrations held in Galle yesterday. Explaining the current situation of the peace process the President stressed that there were no set backs in the peace front and added that things were moving positively towards resuming talks with the LTTE. "Things are moving ahead positively in the peace front and there are no setbacks", the President added . She reiterated that the Government would do everything possible to get the LTTE, who withdrew from peace talks one and half years ago to return to the negotiation table. However, the President said it was the responsibility of the Government to safeguard the security of all communities. "We will never neglect that responsibility vested upon us by the people of this country", she added. Addressing thousands of party supporters in Galle the President said the mandate given by the people at the previous election clearly indicates that the peoples' power and support is with the Government despite the numbers the Government has in parliament. "What matters to Government is not the numbers in parliament but the people's power. We are committed to fulfill pledges to the people as long as we entertain the people's power and receive their support", the President added. "During the first five months we have shown by example how we keep our promises to the people by providing jobs to unemployed graduates and by providing fertilizer subsidy", the President added. Addressing the party supporters she said that the party should expect at anytime the reactionary forces and the UNP would create problems against the leadership of the party as it had done in the past. She said the party members should think wisely and differentiate the people who run behind power and those who are committed in taking the party and the country forward. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse addressing the convention said the current electoral system should be changed to clearly indicate people's mandate at elections. Party General Secretary Minister Maitripala Sirisena, Treasurer Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Senior Vice President Minister Anura Bandaranaike also addressed the anniversary celebrations in Galle yesterday. |
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