Lankan Peace Process will be inclusive and transparent, says President

[December 30, 2005 - 4.00 GMT]

From Bandula Jayasekara in New Delhi

My government is determined to take the peace process forward in an all inclusive and transparent manner. We will do so through a consultation process involving all concerned parties and stake holders, said President Mahinda Rajapakse at the special banquet hosted by the President of India, Dr Abdul Kalam in honour of the visiting Sri Lankan President.

Rajapakse said: "Our end objective will be to develop a broad consensus where maximum power could be devolved within a unitary state. We are also committed to protecting Sri Lanka's territorial integrity and safeguarding the aspirations of all of its communities."

Recalling the Maha Bharatha and the Ramayana, the Sri Lankan President said it was the practice of early Indian Buddhist Councils to convene to resolve issues and bridge differences.

"The Great Indian ruler and the donor of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, Emperor Ashoka, also identified progress as a part of the concept of tolerance.

"Such concept of tolerance was based on framework where opinions could be expressed in a manner that did not cause offence," said the President.

Speaking of the two great religions that originated from India, Rajapakse pointed out that the traditions and beliefs of the two great faiths that arose in India, namely Buddhism and Hinduism, prosper among the people of India and Sri Lanka.

"As does India, Sri Lanka also holds fast to the values of pluralism and proudly maintains a longstanding commitment to democratic practices. "Therefore, it is clear that we in Sri Lanka and India share the great traditions of democracy and religious beliefs which could perhaps be described as the bedrock on which our relationship is established," said the President. Full text

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Last Updated Date: December 30, 2005 - 4.00 GMT