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"There is a ray of opportunity, more hope for reaching a solution. Our doors are always open for negotiations with the LTTE. But we will not entertain any conditions imposed by the LTTE," President Kumaratunga told the Sri Lanka Development Forum at the World Bank building. In her opening remarks, the President reminded the delegates that December 18 was the `first anniversary' of the abortive assassination attempt near the Colombo Town Hall. "It seems like my first birthday today. It is fitting that our development partners are fully supportive of our development agenda including the resolution of the conflict in the North-East." "We will endeavour to do all that is possible to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table. The LTTE leader's meeting with the Norwegian delegation offers a ray of hope, but it is still not very clear whether the LTTE has abandoned its previous conditions including the demand that all Security Forces personnel be withdrawn from the North," the President further said. The President, in her address to the Development Forum, expressed the hope that LTTE would not put forward any conditions this time, including the withdrawal of Armed Forces from the North. She categorically said the Government would not withdraw troops from the North under any circumstances. She said the Government has been striving to bring the Tigers to the negotiating table with Norwegian help. The Norwegian Government has been consulting both sides, but it was only after one year that the Tigers responded positively to the Norwegian initiative. "As for the LTTE's demand for a withdrawal of Armed Forces from the North, more than 80 per cent of the people living in predominantly Tamil areas have implored the Government not to let the LTTE gain control of their areas again," the President explained. She emphasised that the ethnic problem could be solved with or without the agreement of the LTTE if the rights and safety of minorities can be guaranteed through a new socio-political framework inspired by the proposed new Constitution. "Tamils do not need this violence and war. They only want their safety and rights and a peaceful atmosphere to live in amity with other communities. Thus ending the war is a top priority for the Government." She said the Government has thus adopted a three-pronged approach to solve the North-East problem - negotiate a political settlement with the LTTE, evolve a political-Constitutional framework and expedite development in the war-torn areas. Referring to the present Constitution, President Kumaratunga said it has been a stumbling block to the "best possible solution" to the ethnic problem - the proposed new Constitution which offers extensive devolution to the regions while ensuring he rights of minorities. "The current Constitution is standing in the way of this solution. If the main opposition United National Party acts in a more responsible manner and gives us the necessary support to pass it, we can lay a firm foundation for peace." The President recalled how the UNP withdrew its support to the new Constitution at he last minute after discussing almost every sentence of the Constitutional Reforms with the Government for over five months. "We do not have a two-thirds majority in the House. So we needed the support of the UNP to pass the new Constitution. But they refused to give us the 10 votes needed to see it through". She told the delegates that the proposed Constitutional Reforms have been subject to the "widest possible consultation" at all levels of society including the clergy. They have also gained the support of Tamil and Muslim parties. "If we hold a referendum tomorrow, the majority of the people will say yes to the new Constitution and devolution. The majority of the population will support us. It must be said that ultra-chauvinist Sinhala parties fared very, very badly at the last General Election. Our Government, which has always advocated devolution of power and rights for minorities, has won seven elections in a row." She stressed that the development of the war-stricken North was a priority for the Government. During the previous abortive negotiations with the LTTE, the Government had presented a Rs.39 billion development plan for the North. After the LTTE reneged on the talks, the Government regained control of most areas of the North and started an ambitious development plan. But much more can be done "if not for the LTTE". She expressed the hope that the Government would be able to solve the ethnic problem after a long search for peace. The President also drew the attention of the delegates and development partners to the four key areas being discussed at the meeting - Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation, Governance, Tertiary Education and Poverty Alleviation. She highlighted the Government's social and economic achievements and projections for the future. She answered questions raised by some of the delegates. She thanked the donor countries and organisations for helping Sri Lanka to accelerate development. The World Bank's Vice President for the South Asian Region Mieko Nishimizu, who made the introductory remarks, expressed the fervent hope that the Forum would enable the development partners "to learn together how we can advance a partnership to assist the people of Sri Lanka to unleash their true potential." The opening session included a World Bank presentation on `Missed Opportunities' in Sri Lanka which highlighted certain factors which have impeded the country's progress. Central Bank Governor A.S.Jayawardena, a key member of the Lankan delegation, told journalists that the development partners (donor countries and organisations) have expressed their unequivocal support for Sri Lanka's socio-economic reforms drive. The partners have agreed that Sri Lanka has the best record of reducing poverty in South Asia , he said. They have also appreciated the fact Sri Lanka has already reached most of the international development targets for poverty reduction by 2015. Deliberations of the Development Forum ends tomorrow (19), with a concluding statement from the Government of Sri Lanka followed by the Chairperson's closing remarks. The partners will then announce their financial Commitment to Lanka's development process for the coming year. The Government delegation will later host a reception for the development partners. The Lankan delegation includes Industrial Development and Constitutional Affairs Minister and Deputy Finance Minister Prof.G.L.Peiris, Samurdhi, Rural Development, Parliamentary Affairs and Upcountry Development Minister and Deputy Finance Minister S.B.Dissanayake, Urban Development, Construction and Public Utilities Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Higher Education and Information Technology Minister Indika Gunawardane, Central bank Governor A.S.Jayawardena, Treasury Secretary P.B.Jayasundera, Education Secretary Prof.L.Gunawardhane, Finance Deputy Secretary Faiz Mohideen, and IMF Alternate Executive Director R.A.Jayatissa.
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President
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
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