President to meet political parties on national problem

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had a special discussion with the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, has decided to discuss the war situation and the brewing issues in India with the other political parties in the Opposition to arrive at a common understanding to resolve the national problem.

According to sources, the President will invite the JVP and Tamil National Alliance and other political parties soon for discussions.

During the hour-long discussion at Temple Trees with the Opposition Leader, President Rajapaksa briefed Wickremesinghe on the urgent current developments in the battlefronts and humanitarian assistance the Government offers those who flee to the liberated areas and also those who are still trapped in the LTTE held areas.

The President had informed the Opposition Leader that the Government’s stance was to find a political solution to solve the country’s political problem and military problem militarily.

President Rajapaksa also informed the Opposition Leader about the views exchanged during the telephone conversation with the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, last week.

The Opposition Leader who pledged the UNP’s support to resolve the national problem had outlined the who party stance - the need for a political solution within an united country while having military offensives to crush terrorism.

At this meeting, where the Leader of the House and Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and the Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena also participated, the President had welcomed the support of the UNP in solving the national issue.

The JVP, which declined to meet President Rajapaksa yesterday said that the party would accept the invitation if there was a sincere effort by the Government to discuss the country’s political situation. “We do not want to take part in political glamour events. If there is a genuine interest by the Government, the JVP is ready to take part in discussions on war and the present situation in Tamil Nadu”, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said.

When contacted TNA MP Suresh Premachandra declined to comment.

Meanwhile, with the political drama in Tamil Nadu, where politicians are competing to voice for the LTTE, is getting serious, Senior Presidential Advisor and MP Basil Rajapaksa is to fly to New Delhi to commence talks with a high level Indian delegation including External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukerjee.