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| Sunday, 4 September 2005 |
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Politics |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Self appraisal of an eventful innings From Rodney Martinesz in Beijing President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said it was her Government which initiated a negotiated settlement to the country's ethnic conflict. Interviewed by China's prestigious CCTV network President Kumaratunga said she was able to restore democracy, law and order which had broken down on the country when she took over Government a decade ago. The President said she was forced to assume her Party's leadership at a time when there was no credible leadership in the horizon. That was a time when the country's democratic edifice had crumbled and the country was reeling under State terror. She was persuaded by her party seniors to take the mantle of leadership and this forced her to take the plunge. She said the country was in turmoil with the LTTE, JVP and death squads operating under State patronage ruling the roost. It was into this milieu that she walked into take the reigns of power. She said she was able to bring back law and order and restore democracy so much so that today three fourths of the media are able to abuse the country's President. Her one regret was being unable to achieve the goal of peace. But it was she who opened the doors for a negotiated settlement to the present conflict. Asked by the Interviewer if she was planning to continue in politics President Kumaratunga reminded him that her tern was due to end in another three months. "Yes there are some who want me to continue perhaps for their own reasons" the President quipped. |
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