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by M.P. Muttiah

Ceylon Worker's Congress Vice President R. Yogarajan told the Sunday Observer that his party would fully support President Mahinda Rajapakse's efforts to bring peace to the country.

Commenting on Thursday's All Party Conference, Yogarajan said the venue for the talks should not be a hurdle in the peace process. President Mahinda Rajapakse should have the right to take decisions on the venue issue. Consensus does not mean unanimity.

Government should go an extra mile. Ceylon Worker's Congress would support President Mahinda Rajapakse's efforts and continue to participate at the All Party talks, Yogarajan said.

Up country People's Front leader and Parliamentarian P. Chandrasekeran said that if all the parties united and reached a consensus it would be a tremendous achievement in the peace process. "There was an All Party Conference during J. R. Jayewardene's presidency.

It had never moved an inch and no solution was found. Parties may find it difficult to reach a consensus on each and every word and that would lead to a tug-of-war. When the question of implementation comes it would further lead to complexities. Therefore, President Mahinda Rajapakse should first discuss with his confidantes and inform the other parties. For example, J.R. signed the Indo-Lanka agreement even without the knowledge of his cabinet, and later informed his colleagues," he added.

Chandrasekeran said that the venue for the talks should not be a prestige problem. Though the CWC, UPF and MMM participated at the talks, there were no participation of parties that justify the rights of the Tamils. EPDP was the only party that represented the Northeast. Therefore, the view of all three Tamil parties was that the Tamil National Alliance should be invited to the talks to listen to their position. An opportunity should be given to alternative views.

Chandrasekeran said that his party would support President Mahinda Rajapakse's efforts to bring a sustainable solution to the ethnic problem.

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