|
|
 |
 |
|||
Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of Justice, Constitutional Affairs and National Integration responding positively to peace talks with the LTTE, mediated by the Norwegian Government said that the peace process would culminate in the next couple of months after the finalisation of the long sought constitutional changes, political sources revealed. According to the Sunday Island Agriculture Minister D.M. Jayaratne general secretary of the People's Alliance has stated over the national radio on Thursday that talks with the LTTE on a new constitution would be held within three months. Also senior government sources have revealed Norway's role as mediator and President Kumaratunga's sought of assistance from the Commonwealth Secretary General as well. In the Sunday Observer Professor G.L. Peiris emphasized on President's sharpest possible focus on constitutional reforms on the issue of solving the ethnic problem. According to Sunday Observer Professor G.L. Peiris has expressed his confidence that the government could muster the two third majority in Parliament to see the bill through since the UNP has pledged support. The LTTE has favored a Norwegian mediation role from the beginning and has also pressed for it. According to a Colombo datelined AFP report on Friday the Norwegian diplomats have already had talks with Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe but there had been no confirmation about these contacts, said the Sunday Island. The AFP report has further stated about the Norway Foreign Minister Knut Volleback's visit to broker peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE and its' postponement due to Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar's visit abroad. However, sources in the Colombo foreign office revealed that the minister is receiving medical treatments in Geneva and there was no word on when he would return. Minister Volleback's visit was to be rescheduled as soon as possible, the AFP stated. Professor Peiris had said on Saturday that the peace effort was President Kumaratunga's "lead programme" and that she was fully committed to this process which was on top of her political agenda, said the Sunday Island. For the first time there is a clear indication that what had been sought in the parliamentary select committee over the last three years could be achieved in practice. "In view of that, it is necessary to talks to all the political parties and forge a genuine consensus. The process must involve the LTTE and the president has expressed her intention of bringing the LTTE into it" Professor Peiris has stated. He has also said that this process would culminate in the next couple of months with the Constitutional Bill. Further Professor G.L. Peiris revealed to the Sunday Observer that the process would include the Tamil, Muslim political parties the United National Party and also the LTTE before the final presentation of the proposals in the form of legislation to Parliament.
Meanwhile the special committee appointed to make
proposals for a new constitution draft bill would meet again today and the
committee is scheduled to meet daily from today, said the state radio, Sri
Lanka Broadcasting Corporation today.
|
|
Contact Information: Send
mail to