12.07.2006

murpayikg;G rPHjpUj;jj;Jf;fhd rHtfl;rp gpujpepjpfs; FO kw;Wk; epGzHfs; FOf; $l;lj;jpy; mjpNkjF [dhjpgjp k`pe;j uh[gf;] Mw;wpa NgUiu

nrt;tha;f;fpoik> 2006 A+iy 11

vkJ rkhjhd eilKiwapd; ,f;fl;lhd jWthapy; ehk; ,q;F $bapUf;fpNwhk;. tpLjiyg; Gypfisg; Ngr;R thu;j;ij Nkirf;Ff; nfhz;L tUtjw;fhd vkJ ,ja g+u;tkhd Kaw;rpfs; midj;Jk; ,J ehs; tiu Njhy;tpaile;Js;sd. Mdhy; ehk; ekJ Kaw;rpfspy; jsu;tilahJ njhlu;e;J Kd;ndLg;Nghk;. ru;tNjr r%fj;jpd; ey;nyz;z Cf;Ftpg;NghLk; ,e;ehl;by; thOk; rkhjhd tpUk;gpfshd gpui[fspd; ey;yhjuNthLk; rkhjhdj;jpw;fhd khw;W top rkhjhdNk vd;gij tpLjiyg; GypfSf;F czu;j;Jtpg;Nghk;. Ngr;Rthu;j;ijfNs rkhjhdj;jpw;fhd xNutop. Aj;jj;jpdhNyh> gaq;fu Nghu;tpidapy; <LgLtjhNyh mjid mila KbahJ. kahd mikjpahf mJ mikaKbahJ. mJ capu;g;Gs;sJk;> Jbg;Gs;sJkhdJk;> epahakhdJk>; nfsutkhdJk;> ,yq;if tho; midj;J kf;fSf;Fk; epiy epw;fj; jf;fJkhd rkhjhdkhapUj;jy; Ntz;Lk;.

tpLjiyg; Gypfis rkhjhd Nkirf;F mioj;JtUk; vkJ Kaw;rpfs; njhlUk; mNj Ntis Njrpag; gpur;rpidf;F Kfk; nfhLf;Fk; flg;ghLk; ekf;F cz;L. ehk; ,d;W Kfk; nfhLj;Jf; nfhz;bUf;Fk; ,t;tplak; NguplUf;F cs;shff; $ba xU Kf;fpakhd tplakhFk;. ,g;gpur;rpid fle;j ,U jrhg;jq;fSf;F Nkyhf ,Oj;jbf;fg;gl;lJ kl;Lky;yhky; ekJ Kd;Ndw;wj;ijAk; gpd;jq;fr; nra;Js;sJ. ,f; fhy fl;lj;jpy; vkJ kf;fspd; cz;ikahd fdTfisAk;> mgpyhi\fisAk; vk;khy; epiwNtw;w Kbatpy;iy. ,Nj fhyg; gFjpapy; vk;kpYk; ghu;f;f Fiwe;j mstpy; tpUj;jpaile;j gy ehLfs; vk;ikf; fle;J Kd;nrd;W mtw;wpd; kf;fSf;F ek;gpf;ifiaAk;> eyd;fisAk;> cau;e;j tho;f;ifj; juj;ijAk;> MNuhf;fpakhd ey; tho;itAk; toq;fpAs;sd.

njhlu;e;J te;j murhq;fq;fs; vkJ Njrpa gpur;rpidf;Fj; jPu;T fhz;gjw;Fg; gytpjkhd Kd;ndLg;Gfis Nkw;nfhz;l NghjpYk; mtw;wpy; ngupjsT Kd;Ndw;wk; fhz Kbatpy;iy. ,J ekJ gytPdj;ij vLj;Jf; fhl;LfpwJ. ,jpypUe;J ehk; kPs Ntz;ba Njit cs;sJ. mijr; nra;a vkf;F Mw;wYk;> tpOkpaq;fSk; mu;g;gzpg;Gk; cz;L. fle;j fhyj;jpy; jplkhd jPu;khdq;fis Nkw;nfhs;s Ntz;ba murpay; Jzpr;riy ehk; ntspg;gLj;jtpy;iy. mjd; tpisthf vkJ kf;fspd; tho;f;ifj; juj;ij Kd;Ndw;w Kbahky; Nghdikahy; vkJ ek;gpf;iffSk; mgpyhi\fSk; rpjwbf;fg;gl;lJld; tha;g;Gf;fisAk; ,oe;J tpl;Nlhk;. vkJ kf;fs; midtupd; rhu;ghf rkhjhdj;ij mila vLf;Fk; Kaw;rpfs; vt;tsTjhd; fbdkhf ,Ug;gpDk;> ,ja g+u;tkhfTk; mu;g;gzpg;GlDk;> mjpy; KO %r;RlDk; <LgLtij vdJ jiyaha flikahff; fUJfpNwd;. vdJ ehL> cq;fsJ ehL> vkJ ehl;bw;fhd ePjpahdJk; nfsutkhdJkhd rkhjhdj;ij milaj; Njitahd midj;J topKiwfisAk; ehd; Nkw;nfhs;SNtd;.

nrayjpfhu [dhjpgjp gjtp vt;tsTjhd; gyk; tha;e;jjhapUg;gpDk; [dhjpgjp khj;jpuNk ,g; gzpiar; nra;a KbahJ. Njrpag; gpur;rpidf;F murpay;> murpayikg;Gj; jPu;Tf;fhf gd;Kff; fl;rpfspd; Kaw;rpAk;> vy;NyhiuAk; cs;thq;fpa mZF KiwAk; Njit. vkJ kf;fspd; ey;yhjuTld; 'cs;sfj; Njrpaj; jPu;T" xd;W cUthf;fg;gl Ntz;Lk;. ,e;ehl;by; gpd;gw;wg;gLk; ngsj;jk;> ,e;J> fpwp];jtk;> ,];yhk; Mfpa ehd;F rpwg;G kpf;f rkaq;fspypUe;Jk; fl;bnaOg;gg;gl;l cd;dj ghuk;gupaj;ijAk;> kuGupikr; nrhj;ijAk; rhu;e;jjhf ve;jnthU jPu;Tk; mike;jpUf;f Ntz;Lnkd;Nw ehd; fUJfpNwd;. fUiz> md;G> Gupe;Jzu;T> jhuhsj; jd;ik> kd;dpg;G> ek;gpf;if Mfpa kdpj tpOkpaq;fspd; fU vkJ rkaq;fspy; Mokhf Nt&d;wpapUg;gJld; mjd; tpisthf mJ vkJ ,uj;jj;Jld; fye;Js;sJ. ,tw;iw mbg;gilahff; nfhz;Nl Njrpag; gpur;rpidj; jPu;Tk; mikjy; Ntz;Lk;.

vkJ jdpj;Jtkhd tiuaWg;GfisAk;> nghJj; jd;ikfisAk; kdjpw; nfhz;L cyfpd; Vida ghfq;fspYk; vkJ gpuhe;jpak; cl;gl> gupNrhjpf;fg;gl;l murpay;> murpayikg;G rPu;jpUj;jq;fis ehKk; Muha Ntz;baJ Kf;fpakhFk;. ehk; Vida Cf;fkspf;fj; jf;f cjhuzq;fisf; ftdj;jpw;nfLj;J nghUj;jkhd mk;rq;fisAk; ghlq;fisAk; mwpjy; Ntz;Lk;.

cyf rKjhaj;jpd; ey;nyz;zj;jpdhYk;> MjutpdhYk;. vkJ kf;fspd; jpl rq;fw;gj;jpdhYk;> ,Wjpahf ehk; ntw;wp ngWNthk; vd ehd; jplkhf ek;GfpNwd;. mj;jifa gy Nkhjy;fs; cyfpNy epyTtjhy;> Nkhjy; jPu;Tf;F vkJ ntw;wpia cyfpd; kw;w ehLfSf;F Xu; cjhuzkhf Vw;Wf; nfhs;sr; nra;Ak;.

cq;fs; gpNuuizfs;jhd; midj;Jf; fl;rp khehl;bNy epiwNtw;wg;gl guprPyidf;F vLj;Jf; nfhs;ssg;gLk;. me;j tifapy; cq;fs; ghj;jpuKk;> gq;fspg;Gk; kpf Kf;fpak; ngWfpd;wd. cq;fs; gpNuuizfs; fw;gdh tsKs;sitahfTk;> Mf;f g+u;tkhditahfTk; ,Uf;f Ntz;Lnkd tw;GWj;jpf; Nfl;Lf;nfhs;fpd;Nwd;. ,j;Njrpag; gpur;rpidf;F Xu; murpay; kw;Wk; murpay; ahg;Gj; jPu;it cUthf;Ftjw;fhf> gue;J gl;l tiuaiwf;Fs; cs;slf;f Ntz;banjd ehd; fUJk; rpy Kf;fpa mk;rq;fis ,r; re;ju;g;gj;jpy; cq;fs; Kd;itf;f tpUk;GfpNwd;.

vkJ mZF Kiw ru;t Njr r%fj;jpdhYk; Fwpg;ghf ,e;jpahtpdhYk; ,izj; jiyik ehLfspdhYk; gue;j mstpy; Vw;Wf; nfhs;sg;gl;Ls;sJ. mj;Jld; ,e;ehl;by; ve;j tpjkhd gpuptpidiaAk; ntspg;gilahf epuhfupj;Js;sd.

,q;Nf gpujpepjpj;Jtk; gLj;Jk; xt;nthU fl;rpAk; Njrpa gpur;rpidf;Fj; jj;jk; gpuj;jpNafj; jPu;itf; nfhz;Ls;sd. ehk; ,tw;iwf; fye;Jiuahb NtWgl;l ,e;j mZF Kiwfisj; njhFj;J ePf;fp vkJ ,yq;iff;Nf gpuj;jpNafkhd xU khjpupia cUthf;FNthk;. ehk; gz;lhuehaf;fh-nry;tehafk; fhyj;ijj; njhlu;e;J Nkw;nfhs;sg;gl;l Kaw;rpfis Muha Ntz;Lk;. mj;Jld; Vida ehLfspd; mDgtq;fspypUe;J nghUj;jkhd ghlq;fisAk; ehk; <u;j;Jf; nfhs;s Ntz;Lk;. ehd; ehl;bd; kPJ xU jPu;itf; jpzpf;f khl;Nld;. Mdhy;> k`pe;j rpe;jidapy; cs;slq;fpa czHTfspd; mbg;gilapy;> rfy fl;rpfspilNa fUj;njhUikg;ghl;il Vw;gLj;jf;$ba tpjj;jpy; cq;fs; jPHf;fhNyhrid %yk; gue;jnjhU tiuaiwia ePq;fs; toq;FtPHfs;.

gpur;rpidf;fhd jPHitg; ngWtjpy;> FWfpa fhy trjpf;fhf vq;fsJ ngUikkpf;f [dehaf tpOkpaq;fis jpahfQ; nra;aNth Vw;Wf; nfhz;l rl;lthupahd Ml;rpiaj; jpahfQ; nra;aNth KbahJ. mNj Neuj;jpy; cyfshtpa uPjpapy; cl;GFe;Js;s kdpj cupikj; juq;fis cjhrPdg;gLj;j KbahJ. tpLjiyg; Gypfspd; fUj;Jf;F khwhd fUj;Jf;nfhz;l xNu fhuzj;Jf;fhf kl;LNk jkpo; murpay; jiytu;fs; kw;Wk; jkpo; jiytu;fs; mdhtrpakhff; nfhiy nra;ag;gl;lhu;fs; vd;w fhuzkhf ,e;j tplaq;fis ehk; typAWj;Jtjpy; epahaj;jd;ikAz;L. Vida gy;NtW epfo;Tfspy; jdpkdpj mbg;gil cupikfs; kPwg;gl;bUf;fpd;wd. ,ad;wsT FWfpa fhyj;jpw;Fs; KO ,yq;ifapYk; [dehaf tpOkpaq;fisAk; murpay; gd;Kfj;jd;ikiaAk; vjpu;g;Gf; fUj;Jf;fisr; rfpf;Fk; jd;ikiaAk; epiyehl;Ltjw;F ehk; mOj;jk; nfhLg;Nghk;. ,e;ehl;by; vy;yhg;gFjpfspYk; kdpj cupikj; juq;fis Nkk;gLj;Jtjw;fhf ehk; rfytpj KAw;rpfisAk; vLg;Nghk;. ,e;j mbg;gil %yhjhuj; Njitfis miltjw;fhd xU jPu;it tFg;gNj rkJ rthyhFk;. ehk; rl;lthupahd Ml;rpiaAk; mjpfhuj;jpypUg;gtu;fspd; elj;ijapy; mbg;gilahd rpwe;j gz;GfisAk; nfhz;l tpOkpaq;fisg; ghJfhf;f Ntz;Lk;.

tpLjiyg; GypfSk; ,e;j epahag+u;tkhd vjpu;ghu;g;Gf;fis vk;ikg; Nghd;Nw Vw;Wf; nfhs;Sk; mtrpak; cz;L. ehk; toq;f tpUf;Fk; ,e;j ,zf;fg;ghL> cyfk; g+uhfTs;s ehfuPfk; gilj;j mgptpUj;jpaile;j r%fq;fspd; mbg;gil tpjpfshd ,e;j tpOkpaq;fis ,izj;Jf;nfhs;s toptFf;Fk; vd ek;GNthk;.

kf;fs; jhk; thOk; gpuNjrj;jpy; jkJ vy;yhr; nray;fisAk; jhk; MSk; rf;jpia jk;kfj;jpy; ngw;Wf; nfhz;L mtu;fspd; murpay; nghUshjhu #oiy jk; Mjpf;fj;Jf;Fs; nfhz;L tUjy; Ntz;Lk;. xg;gpy;yhj tsq;fspd; gfpu;it kj;jpapy; jPu;khdpg;gJ vd;w tplak; ePz;l fhykhf xU gpur;rpidahf ,Ue;J te;Js;sJ. NkYk; mjpfhug; gfpu;T kj;jpapy; mjpfkhfj; jq;fpapuhJ. milahsk;> ghJfhg;G> r%f nghUshjhu Nkk;ghL njhlu;ghd tplaq;fisAk; ftdj;jpw; nfhs;s Ntz;Lnkd;gJ xU ntspg;gilahd cz;ikahFk;. ,J njhlu;ghf gpuhe;jpa rpWghd;ikapdupd; gpur;rpidiaAk; ftdj;jpw; nfhs;s Ntz;Lnkd;gJk; Kf;fpakhFk;.

nkhj;jj;jpy; cldbj; Njitahf ve;jnthU jPu;tpYk; kf;fs; jq;fs; tpjpiaj; jhq;fNs epu;zapf;f trjpaspg;gJ mtrpakhfpd;wJ. cyfpy; gy ghfq;fspy; ,J ntw;wpfukhf eilKiwg; gLj;jg; gl;Ls;sJ. vkJ mz;il ehlhd ,e;jpah cl;gl> cyfk; g+uhtpYKs;s gy;NtW ehLfspd; cjhuzq;fis Xu; cz;ikahd ,yq;if murpayikg;Gf; Nfhl;ghl;il cUthf;Ftjw;fhf Muhayhk;.

ehL KOtjpYKs;s ,yq;ifaupd; tho;it Nkk;gLj;JtNj ekJ mgpyhi\ahFk;. tlf;fpYk; fpof;fpYk; tWikapy; thLgtu;fspd; tho;f;ifia Nkk;gLj;Jtjw;F Kd;Dupik mspf;fg;gl;Ls;sJ. fle;j ,U jrhg;jq;fSf;F Nkyhf> tpLjiyg; Gypfspdhy; mtu;fs; kPJ jpzpf;fg;gl;l Aj;jj;jpd; fhuzkhf f\;lg;gl;L tWikapy; thLk; tlf;F> fpof;F kf;fSf;F> ehk; ghJfhg;ghdJk; epiyj;J epw;fj;jf;fJkhdJk; mu;j;j G\;bAs;s Gwr; #oiy cUthf;fp mtu;fis nghUshjhu eltbf;iffspy; gq;Nfw;f trjpNaw;gLj;jp mtu;fspd; tho;f;ifapy; mila tpUk;Gk; Fwpf;Nfhs;fis va;Jtjw;Fj; Njitahd Mw;wiy cUthf;fp mtu;fspd; tho;f;if ,yl;rpaj;ij milar; nra;jy; ntz;Lk;.

muR 1.25 gpypad; mnkupf;fd; nlhyu; gzj;jpid ,e;Nehf;fj;jpw;fhf xJf;fp cs;sJ. tlf;ifAk; fpof;ifAk; mgptpUj;jp nr;atjw;fhf jdpahu; JiwapdiuAk; ru;tNjr Kftu;fisAk; <LgLkhW ehq;fs; Cf;Ftpf;fpNwhk;. ru;tNjr r%fj;jpdupd; Mu;tj;jpidf; nfhz;Lk; cs;Su; njhopy;JiwapduJk; KjyPl;bidr; nra;tjw;F cs;s Mu;tj;jpidf; nfhz;Lk; FWfpa fhyj;jpDs;Ns ghupa mgptpUj;jpia Vw;gLj;jpf; nfhs;s KbAk;. tlf;Ff;Fk; fpof;Ff;Fk; KjyPl;L epjpfis Vw;gLj;Jtjw;fhf muR jd;id mu;g;gzpj;J cs;sJ. tlf;fpYk; fpof;fpYk; thOk; kf;fis ,e;ed;ikfs; nrd;wila Ntz;Lk; vd;gJ vdJ cWjpahd ek;gpf;ifahFk;. vg;gbahapDk; rkhjhdk; vk;ik Vkhw;WfpwJ. Kuz;ghl;bdhy; ghjpf;fg;gl;l tlf;fpYk; rup fpof;fpYk; rup ehl;bd; vQ;rpa gFjpapYk; rup ghjpf;fg;gl;l kf;fs; gaj;jpYk; Vo;ikapYk; thLtijAk; RKfkhd epiyf;F ehL jpUk;ghj epiy ePz;L; nfhz;L NghtijAk; epahag;gLj;j KbahJ. ekJ re;jjpapd; vjpu;fhyk; RgPl;rkhf mikAk; vd;W tpjpia ek;gpr; nraw;glyhfhJ. Vd; mij ehq;fs; ,g;NghNj nra;af; $lhJ?

ehk; toq;Fk; jPu;T ghjpf;fg;gl;ltu;fSf;F cldbahd jPu;thf mika Ntz;Lk;. epr;rakw;w vjpu;fhyj;ij gaj;Jld; vjpu; Nehf;Fk; kf;fis nghWj;jpUf;FkhW itj;jpUg;gJ Kiwad;W.

ve;jj; jPHTk; kpfTk; Jd;gg;gl;l kf;fspd; ftiyfisg; Nghf;Ftjw;fhd rpwe;jJk; epaha g+u;tkhdJkhd xU jPu;thf njd;gLtJ mtrpakhFk;. gyu; jkJ capiuj; jpahfk; nra;J cs;sdu;. gyupd; capu;fs; mopf;fg;gl;Ls;sjhy; FLk;gq;fs; rpjWz;L NghdJld; td;KiwfspypUe;J jg;gpj;Jf; nfhs;tjw;fhf ghJfhg;ghd ehLfSf;F ,lk; ngau;e;Jk; cs;sdu;. mtrpakw;w td;Kiwapd; NghJ kuzpj;j jdJ gps;isapd; capuw;w rlyj;ijf; fz;L gy jha;khupd; fz;zPu; Mwhf XbAs;sJ.

MfNt Kf;fpakhf ngUk;ghd;ikr; r%fk; rkhjhdj;jpid Kd;ndLj;Jr; nry;y KayNtz;Lk;. mj;Jld; mij miltjw;fhf jkJ ey;ntz;zf; fuq;fis> ntspf; nfhzu;tjhd nray; Kiwapy; ePl;l Ntz;Lk;. vj;jifa jPu;thdhYk; ,e;j vjpu;ghu;g;Gf;fis cs;slf;fpajhf ,Uf;f Ntz;Lk;.

rHtfl;rpg; gpujpepjpfs; FOtpdJk; MNyhrid toq;Fk; epGzu;fspdJk; Kf;fpa gzp ehd; Kd;G $wpaJNghy Mff; Fiwe;j mgpyhi\fisg; g+u;j;jp nra;tjw;fhd Nju;Tfisf; fz;lwptJ vd;gJld; Njrpag; gpur;rpidf;F jPu;TfhZtjw;fhf xU g+uzj;Jtkhd mZFKiwiaAk; nfhz;bUj;jy; mtrpak;. ehd; jkpo; <o tpLjiyg; Gypfs; ,af;fj;ijAk; ,e;j Kaw;rpapy; gq;F nfhs;SkhW miog;G tpLj;jpUf;fpd;Nwd;. ,uj;jk; rpe;JtjdhYk; clypd; mq;fq;fis rpjwbg;gjdhYk; md;wp ,jidr; nra;tjd; %yNk jkpo; kf;fspd; mgpyhirfSf;Fj; jPu;T fhz KbAk;.

,U gFjpahupdJk; mf;fiwfis eptu;j;jp nra;tjw;fhd cjtpfis cs;SupYk; ru;t Njr kl;lj;jpYk; vkf;F kfpo;r;rpAld; cjTtjw;F ey;Nehf;fk; nfhz;Nlhu; cs;sdu;. vkJ r%fj;jpy; cs;s mf;fiwf; FOf;fis mioj;J mtu;fspd; mgpg;gpuhaq;fisf; FWfpa fhyj;jpDs; ngw;Wf;nfhs;SkhWk;> mj;jifa mgpg;gpuhaq;fis ftdj;jpy; nfhs;SkhWk; ehd; MNyhrid $WfpNwd;.

epiwthf> rHtfl;rpg; gpujpepjpfs; FOitAk; mjd; epGzu; FOitAk; Njrpag; gpur;rpidf;Fj; jPu;T fhz;gjw;fhf murpay;> kw;Wk; murpay; mikg;G tiuaiwia cUthf;Ftjw;fhd $l;L Kaw;rp ntw;wp ngw tho;j;JfpNwd;. mj;jifa Kaw;rp tpiuthfTk; rhj;jpakhdjhfTk; ,Ug;gJ Kf;fpakhFk;. ,uz;L jrhg;jq;fSf;F Nkyhf ePz;l> F&ukhd;> gaq;fukhd Aj;jj;jpd; gpd;du;> g+u;tpf ,lk;> ,dk; kjk; vd;w ghFghby;yhJ rfy kf;fSf;Fk;; xU ePjpahdJk; epiyj;J epw;ff; $baJkhd rkhjhdj;ij toq;Ftjw;fhf ehL ,dpNkYk; fhj;jpUf;f KbahJ. rNfhjuidr; rNfhjudplkpUe;Jk; rNfhjupiar; rNfhjupaplkpUe;Jk; gpupj;njLj;j ,e;j Aj;jj;ijj; jw;NghJ KbTf;Ff; nfhz;Ltuyhk; vd ehd; ek;GfpNwd;. cq;fspd; tpthjq;fs; rkhjhdr;; rpe;jidfs; MWjiyj; jUk; mQ;rdkhf mikal;Lk;. fz;zPu; epiwe;j xt;nthU fz;;fSf;Fk;> fhZk; fdTfSf;Fk; Gj;Japu; Cl;Ltjhf cq;fspd; gzp mikal;Lk;.

cq;fSf;F Kk;kzpfspd; MrpHthjk; cz;lhtjhf.

 

03 June 2006

A new committee and advisory council, to set up a frame work for a lasting solution

Addressing the fifth All Party Conference held today (02) at President’s Office, President Mahinda Rajapaksa requested the political parties representing the parliament to nominate their representatives to the proposed committee to be set up to formulate a framework of proposals for devolution of power.

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 Conference.

We are participating at this conference at a time when LTTE has been proscribed by the European Union and therefore it is necessary for us to approach carefully with a proper understanding of a political solution to the ethnic issue, he said.

Peace cannot be achieved by a single party. So it is the obligation of all, to work together for a final solution the President emphasized.

He also 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. The envisaged solution should as far as possible be a home grown that suits the needs of the country.

The President added that it was the duty the political parties of today and all other interested groups to help in solving this issue giving it the highest priority as it cannot be passed out to the next generation.

One of our important proposals to expedite our march in quest of peace was the appointment of a committee of constitutional amendments. Such a committee should not be an a ad-hoc one. Therefore it is of paramount important to seek the opinions of all parties, the President stressed.

Pointing out that the responsibility and the duty of the government is to enhance the standard of living of the Tamil community in the North and East and see that those areas are developed, he pledged that all possible steps would be taken towards achieving that goal.

The representatives who participated at this fifth all party conference emphasized the necessity of a negotiated settlement and vehemently thank USA, Great Britain, India, and the European Countries, for proscribing the LTTE. They also thanked the President, the Foreign Minister all government representatives and the late Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar for the role they played in connection with the proscription of the LTTE.

The atrocities of the LTTE have been treated abominable by a large number of countries in the world and the co-chairs of the peace move has stressed that LTTE should be summoned, once again for negotiations so that a solution acceptable to all parties could be reached. Addressing the conference Minister Dinesh Gunawardana (MEP), requested the President to exhort all the children who had become cannon fodder to lay down arms and to promise them a proper education, protection and finally an opportunity to be good citizens.

Ven.Ellawala Medananda Thero addressing the conference stressed the need of having a broader discussion on the controversial issue of delegation of power. Ven. Thero also pointed out the importance of seeking the opinions of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslims living abroad as well.

The President pointed out that out of the Tamil community it is only 47.7 %live in the North and the East whilst the rest 52.3% are scattered in other areas quite in harmony along with Sinhala and Muslims.

The Fifth All Party Conference was represented by SLFP ministers Mangala Samaraweera, Susil Premajayantha, Prof. Vishva Warnapala and Keheliya Rambukkwella.

UNP was represented by MPs Karu Jayasuriya, Prof. G.L.Peiris, M.H.Mohamed, John Amaratunga, JVP by its leader Somawansa Amarasingha, the Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa and Anurakumara Dissanayaka. JHU by Ven.Ellawala Medananda Thero, LSSP by Prof. Tissa Vitharana. ACMC- M.M.Saheed, CP by Minisster D.E.W Gunasekera, MEP – Minsiter, Dinesh Gunawardana and several others. NUA – Minster Ferial Ashraff, Segu Isadeen and several others. Kandurata Peramuna by P.Radhakrishnan and several others. SLMC Bazeer S. Davud. National Congress Uthayambali, Western Peoples Front M.Kumaraguru, CWC – R.Yogarajan.

The APC was also addressed by the Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera, Leader of the JHU, Mr.Dinesh Gunewedena, 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