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| Sunday, 4 January 2004 |
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Politics |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Powell writes to President, PM by Mendaka Abeysekara and Deepal Warnakulasuriya The US Secretary of State Collin Powell has urged Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to create political stability in the country in order to continue with the peace process. The Prime Minister had received the letter sent by Collin Powell on Wednesday evening and the US Ambassador in Colombo met the President on Friday. Informed sources said that the State Secretary had asked both the leaders to come to a consensus to go ahead with the peace process in order to work out the economical development plans discussed at the Tokyo Aid Conference in June, 2003. Powell's letter also stated that it was not only the stance of the USA but also the expectation of the international community which is very much concerned over the Sri Lankan issue. Sources also confirmed that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was studying the letter with his consultants. Presidential Secretariat confirmed that the USA Ambassador met the President on Friday evening and did not reveal anything further. Meanwhile, Economic Reforms, Science and Technology Minister Milinda Moragoda is in the USA as a representative of the Prime Minister and he will also be visiting Norway and several other European countries to meet all the Co-Chairmen of the Tokyo Donor Conference. Reliable sources confirmed that he had urged for the 4.5 billion US dollars pledged at the donor conference assuring them that the UNF Government is willing to come to a compromise with the President. He also said that the problem between the prime minister and President could be solved with mutual understanding. |
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