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| Sunday, 30 January 2005 |
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Senior UNPers for collaboration Weekend Politics by Suraj & Viraj
While the reconstruction and rehabilitation of tsunami devastation is high on the agenda with the state machinery busy planning out strategies, the once unified political outlook following the disaster seems to be vibrating with differences of opinions surfacing among political parties time and again on the mode to rebuild the nation. UNP looks divided There appears to be different thinking between the ruling party partners, the SLFP and the JVP while the UNP too looks divided on the handling of the rebuilding process by the party. Seniors of the UNP are of the view that the party for at least three years should work with the government to revive and resurrect the devastated areas forgetting elections. The President's clarification that there was no necessity to think of parliamentary elections for the next five years is being supported by the senior group of the UNP. Clarification The clarification by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on her statement at Hambantota that one year had passed and there would be no necessity for elections for another five years has put the UNP pundit Prof. G. L. Peiris at sea. It was obvious that the President referred to the parliamentary election when she said that an year had already passed by. But the learned Professor held onto the statement from the wrong end and summoned a media briefing to lash out at the President saying the UNP will not allow any postponement of the Presidential election. Peiris, the UNP spokesman who was in the dark with no issue to grab following the tsunami devastation tried to capitalise on the President's statement to come into limelight. The President's reply pushed Peiris back into the sea only to be caught up in a tidal wave and the UNP being compelled to welcome the clarification of the President. national plan UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe's proposed national plan to rebuild the nation is viewed by some seniors in the party as a move to prepare an election manifesto. The said plan reportedly covers the entire electoral map though only a few districts were affected by tsunami waves. Wickremesinghe is of the view that a presidential poll would be held in October or November this year as the UNP thinks the President's second term expires this year. The government is of the view that the President could continue till 2006 as she took a second oath in 2000. Political analysts are of the view that the two major parties should not get into a confrontation over the issue at a time the country has been devastated by the tsunami tragedy. They say that an election this year would be ridiculous with a large number of voters displaced or missing. Moreover, political analysts pointed out that huge expenditure needed for a presidential election could be diverted towards relief to at least help build houses for the displaced. Trade unions back In this devastated nation, the trade unions seem to come back into action to launch protests and strikes. The health sector, which is vital at this hour for the health protection of thousands of people in refugee camps is on the verge of launching strikes demanding the wage increase envisaged in the last budget. Members from both the government and the opposition should refrain from backing trade union action that may cripple the life of the people at this time. The government is compelled to take decisions to speed up the reconstruction process with the help of international bodies. The required expertise and if necessary manpower has to be sought from abroad according to needs. The Southern rail track needs urgent repairs to ease traffic congestion. It is learnt that a railway Trade Union is going to oppose the move to let an Indian company handle the reconstruction work of the southern rail track. In bringing relief to the people, the government is compelled to work on an understanding even with parties that may be opposed to it. Understanding LTTE Quite rightly the government says it will work with an understanding with the LTTE to provide relief to the tsunami affected areas in the North and East. When conflicting signals were sent across the country by some members within the government that the government was attempting to forge an agreement with the LTTE to rebuild the North and East, Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar immediately set the record straight by stating there was no such agreement but as a government it had to work with an understanding even with parties opposed to it politically. Working with an understanding with the LTTE to give relief to the people there and to rebuild the areas would certainly help both parties to build up confidence that would be helpful to resolve the ethnic crisis in the future. This opportunity should not be abandoned as the government's commitment towards the population of the North and East at this time will bring fruitful results in the confidence building process. The nation was once ravaged by a two decade war. Then by the tsunami tidal waves. A confidence building process will certainly help to keep another war away as the nation cannot afford such a situation. |
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