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| Sunday, 7 November 2004 |
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Heavyweight at Sirikotha : People not for return of UNP Weekend Politics by Suraj & Viraj
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on the eve of her departure to India to sign the Defence Cooperation Agreement between the two countries set the stage for national reconciliation with a meeting with UNP and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. The President at this meeting urged Wickremesinghe to extend his cooperation the National Advisory Council for Peace and Reconciliation (NACPR). Both sides described the meeting cordial with the two leaders agreeing to meet again to discuss national issues. The previous day, President Kumaratunga conducted the first sessions of the NACPR represented by political parties that included the SLMC. There she said that Wickremesinghe was yet to decide on participating at the Council and noted that the UNP leader had not refused her offer. In a bid to rid the stalemate on peace, the President proposed a power sharing concept as the final solution stressing that such a degree of devolution could be discussed at the meeting. She reiterated that the meetings of the Council were in no way obstructing the resumption of talks with the LTTE to find a settlement within a united country. The President's observation at the Council to forge understanding with the UNP on the crisis appears to have been welcomed by a senior group in the UNP. This matter is quite likely to surface at the next political affairs meeting of the UNP chaired by Wickremesinghe where the latter is expected to brief the committee on his talks with the President. The government's stand on the Oslo Declaration is also welcomed by the UNP which accepted it during its two-year administration. Military assistance The President now in the Indian capital of New Delhi meeting leaders is expected to sign the defence cooperation agreement vital for the security of this country. This will provide for military assistance to the island nation as stated by the Indian Army Commander N. C. Vij during his three-day stay in Colombo. The President is expected to discuss areas of negative impact on Sethusamudram project with regard to the environment and security of Sri Lanka. In Colombo many efforts were made during the week to kick start the peace process early. Japanese Special Envoy, Yashushi Akashi arrived here to hold discussions with the Colombo leaders and the LTTE leaders in the North. He said that the Kumaratunga government was flexible and the President was sincerely committed to peace. This position was conveyed to the LTTE by Akashi who held talks with the rebel outfit in Kilinochchi during his week long tour. The LTTE in a change of stance has indicated to Akashi that it is ready to hear other views and proposals. This looks a welcome sign with the President having had talks with the UNP leader prior to her departure to India. Wickremesinghe had been stressing the government to first resume talks if it wanted UNP cooperation for the process and the NACPR. While the LTTE seems to have changed its stance the JVP which is a coalition partner should also adjust itself to facilitate peace. Akashi stated that the JVP was for the peace process to continue. If peace is to continue, talks should resume early. Otherwise the stalemate would continue resulting in anti-people activity. President Kumaratunga as the Head of State and government is in favour of a federal solution within a united country. The opposition UNP too backs this stand. A federal solution has now become an absolute necessity to resolve the crisis. The JVP, a partner in the UPFA government should act collectively to strengthen the hands of the President to restore peace. There is no room for suspicion as the President has vouched that any solution would safeguard the territorial integrity and the unity of the country. Simple majority The collision course adopted by some members of the SLFP and the JVP does not look healthy for the UPFA government. The President has been stressing this point continuously to members of the UPFA. But it appears to have fallen on deaf ears. The Executive leads a minority government and has to ensure at least a simple majority for government business in Parliament. On these lines the government has to canvass support from Opposition ranks. The government successfully obtained the support of three SLMC members last week. It looked necessary with the maiden budget due on November 18. Under powers vested in her, President Kumaratunga appointed these three SLMC MPs as non-cabinet ministers. It was the President's prerogative as Head of the Government. The President is no more the leader of the UPFA and the alliance cannot question her actions taken as the President of the nation. On the UNP side there appears to be a lethargic approach to politics of the day. It was earlier harping on the rising cost of living. Then it started to agitate on the reported attempt by the government to remove the Speaker. The week before it forgot both those issues and screamed about the date to hold the next presidential election. This week silence prevailed other then the voice of Prof. G. L. Peiris been heard on the Oslo Declaration. A party senior this week quipped at a meeting in Sirikotha in Sinhala, "Aanduwa minissunta Epa wechcha tharamata, UNP eka onawela ne" (Though the people may be disgusted with the government there is no sign that they want the UNP back). |
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