All Party Committee to prepare framework of political solution [Thursday, June 2, 2006 - 11.00 GMT]

The All Party Conference summoned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa which met at the Presidential Secretariat today (June 2) agreed to a proposal by the President that an All Party Committee be set up to formulate a framework of proposals for the devolution of power within an undivided Sri Lanka, which could be the basis for future negotiations with the LTTE. The respective parties will submit the names of their representatives to this committee.

The President informed the members of the APC that he would, in consultation with the parties, appoint an Advisory Board comprising academics, intellectuals, experts in the field of law and constitutional affairs, and related disciplines to assist and work concurrently with the All Party Committee.

In his opening remarks to the members present from all political parties represented in parliament, other than the TNA, President Rajapaksa said there was a window of opportunity made available to Sri Lanka to seek a solution to the ethnic conflict and achieve a lasting peace, arising from the listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organization by the 25 member European Union; the statement of the Co-Chairs on Sri Lanka’s Peace Process, and the new awareness about the LTTE among the international community.

He said it was necessary to begin work without delay on formulating the framework of a political solution to the ethnic conflict by way of the greater devolution of power in an undivided country. The envisaged solution should as far as possible be a “home grown” one that suits the needs of the country, making use of the best experiences in other countries.

President Rajapaksa explained the urgency of the need for a solution and the necessity to think afresh on the entire issue, as well as, the awareness that any solution which will be imposed unilaterally will not achieve the desired results. He added that it was the duty of the political parties of today and all other interested groups to help in solving this issue giving it the highest priority, as  all the problems caused by it cannot be passed down to the next generation.

He urged the members to be as flexible as possible in dealing with what was undoubtedly a vexed issue and as to seek common ground on the framework for a more detailed solution, conscious of the fact that in the opinion of all members, despite other differences over policies, all parties were agreed on the need for negotiations with the LTTE and the achieving of a negotiated settlement.      

The UNP’s deputy leader Mr. Karu Jayasuriya said his party was supportive of a negotiated peace and would support a federal solution based on the Oslo Declaration. He also pointed out the need for the Government to act in keeping with the Constitution in all its current activities, and not to place obstacles in the way of opposition parties carrying out their political activities.  

Mr. Somawansa Amarasinghe, leader of the JVP, said his party was for negotiations with the LTTE, but emphasized the need for caution with regard to foreign involvement in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs. Concluding his remarks the JVP leader appealed to President Rajapaksa to issue a call to all children carrying arms for the LTTE to surrender their arms and return to normal life, with the assurance that the President would provide for their education and rehabilitation.

Mrs. Ferial Ashraff, leader of the National Unity Alliance, said it was necessary that whatever solution proposed responds to the needs of the other party to the conflict, and that the proposed Board of Advisors should represent the widest political opinion, for the All Party Committee to have fruitful discussions.

Mr. Susil Premajayantha, speaking for the SLFP, impressed on the need for a negotiated solution acceptable to all, which should not be confined to traditions forms of governance, but should seek a unique Sri Lankan solution, as far as possible. He expressed the hope that it would be possible for the proposed committee to work out a framework and the limitations of a solution which would serve as an entry to serious negotiations.

The APC was also addressed by the Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera, leader of the JHU, Mr. Dinesh Gunewerdena, leader of the MEP, Mr. Douglas Devananda, leader of the EPDP, Mr. D. E. W. Gunasekera, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, Prof. Tissa Vitharana, General Secretary of the LSSP, and representatives of the SLMC, the All Ceylon Muslim Congress, the Up-Country People’s Front, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, the National Congress, the Ceylon Workers Congress and the Western People’s Front.       

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Last Updated Date: June 2, 2006 -11.00 GMT