APRC's 'final document' soon

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

In keeping with the pledge that a durable solution would be offered to Tamils to solve the national problem following the eradication of LTTE terrorism, the Government will wind up the activities of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) as soon as possible to finalise the 'final document'.

Minister of Science and Technology Prof. Tissa Vitharana, the APRC chief told the Sunday Observer that the committee is putting its final touches and would invite the UNP and TNA for their own 'suggestions' before the final document is presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Extending an invitation to the two parties, which are not part and parcel of the APRC deliberations, Minister Vitharana said that the UNP had agreed to re-enter the process once the APRC releases its 'final document'. "The APRC wants to seek the views of the JVP, MEP and Hela Urumaya too", he said adding that the input of all political parties is vital to reach a durable solution.

According to Prof. Vitharana, the problems that may arise after releasing the final document would be discussed at party level meetings, where each political party would be given an opportunity to meet the APRC. "If these parties do not turn up for discussions we would go ahead with the 'final document' and will present it to the President", he said. Meanwhile, India's External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna expressed India's willingness to commence a dialogue on the political process and devolution in Sri Lanka. "We have been assured by the Sri Lankan Government of its intention to pursue a political process that envisages a broader dialogue with all parties, including the Tamil parties, the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution and to go beyond, so as to achieve meaningful devolution of powers," he told the Indian Parliament, last week.