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With The United National Party, going public with its manifesto The Sunday Observer sounded out political circles and the clergy for the views on the manifesto:

Hasan Ali, Secretary, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.

We see many attractive features in the UNP manifesto. We specially appreciate that they have decided to send a Muslim delegation when talks re-commence. We also agree with the Federal module they have spelt out and want a final solution in-line with the Oslo Declaration.

On the economic front it is important to immediately bring down the cost of living and the prices of essential commodities, as they have mentioned but it is not clear as to how they are going to do that. We while standing for an open economy system would want to see the local farmer and local businessmen protected as a first economic priority.

Ven. Athularalye Rathana thera, Jathika Hela Urumaya.

I think first of all the UNP would have to put out the 'Oslo declaration' on which it is going to base its so called 'political solution.' Neither the country nor the members of UNP former cabinet are aware of the contents of the 'Oslo declaration'.

The second thing, the UNP manifesto very clearly says that they admit North and East as the traditional homeland of the Tamils and the solution will be based on a federal system. We would see a blood bath the day the UNP tries to set up their fantasy federal country.

Fr. Cyril Gamini. Roman Catholic Padre, Colombo. It is very good. They have pledged to find a solution to the ethnic problem through negotiations, and most importantly in a united Sri Lanka but I believe that all political parties in the South have accepted that a solution be found in a peaceful manner.

It is important that they have realised the need to talk, not only to the LTTE but also to the other parties including political parties in the South.

When it comes to the question of economy, it is important to take steps to protect National Production, no matter what economic module we adopt. It is also important that they take steps to improve agricultural and fisheries sectors in the country.

Ananda Sangari, TULF Leader.

To me the UNP manifesto doesnot look very bright. It seems to drag on the most vital National Question for an unlimited time.

True the party has said they want to devolve power and want to have a federal structure, it does not say much as to how they are going to do that and so on.

There should be an immediate answer to the problems of the people in the North-East, particularly those in the uncleared areas. They need to be liberated from the clutches of the LTTE, that is my first and last priority.

Once these people are liberated from the LTTE influence we can talk about the problems of unemployment, cost of living and all the other things.

How can you talk about the improving economy and putting up better infrastructure in a country where a segment of its people are suffering and living like slaves.

Batty Weerakoon, Lanka Samasamaja Party.

I do not take any of these manifestos seriously, whether they be of the UNP or SLFP or any other political party. They are meant to attract vulnerable people at elections and to forget thereafter.

However what struck me as strange was that they (the UNP) was talking about development strategies at this moment.

If we have to have development there should be solid peace in the country and a meaningful solution to the National problem. War and development can not go hand-in-hand.

Then their talk about a federal constitution is outdated. The federal concept is as outdated as the concept of a Unitary state.

After the United Kingdom develoved political power to Scotland you donot find unitary countries in today's world. Nor do we find Federal countries.

Neither the United States nor India can be called Federal countries. The world today believes in maximum political power devolution which I believe is the need of this country as well.

(RS)

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