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"Take decisive action to resolve national crisis"

"We call upon the government to take into cognizance the grave crisis situation the country is faced with today. The government should utilize its strategies and methodology with an open mind, have frank and honest discussion with its coalition parties and arrive at a decision that would ensure the security of the nation. To be precise, the government should speak in one voice," says the main opposition party, the UNP in a statement released yesterday, 23rd August 2004.

The opposition UNP released a lengthy official report on its position relative to the peace process and the ISGA. Contained in the statement are details of the background in which the peace process must be taken forward.

Recalling the fact that UNP has clearly declared its position within four hours of the LTTE handing over their draft proposal for the ISGA on 31st October 2003 the report added in detail the statement of Prof. G.L.Peiris in the capacity of the minister for constitutional affairs at that time.

The statement continues to say "Let's all rise in unison, sinking parochial political differences and work for our country at a time when she is facing the most unstable situation. Following are excerpts from the statement:

"The LTTE's proposal relating to the ISGA was prepared and submitted against the background of several successive formulations, detailed in substance, proposed by the United National Front Government. There was neither reticence on our part, nor reluctance to deal with these admittedly controversial issues while we were in charge of the peace process on the basis of a mandate derived from the people of our country."

"By contrast, we are saddened by the steadfast refusal of the present UPFA government to adopt a coherent and internally consistent stand in respect of their attitude to the current ISGA proposal. It is abundantly clear that statements emanating from the present Government are confused and contradictory. We regard this as the principal reason for the current impasse which places in jeopardy not only the negotiations regarding a political settlement but even the ceasefire agreement itself."

"The Sri Lanka Freedom Party reacted officially to the LTTE's ISGA proposal within four days of its submission to the Government. The document of the 4th November 2003, entitled 'Statement by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on the LTTE's proposal for an Interim Self-Governing Authority (ISGA) for the North and East of Sri Lanka', categorically asserts that the LTTE's proposal 'lays the legal foundation for a future, separate, sovereign state' and, indeed, that 'the proposals clearly affect the sovereignty of the Republic of Sri Lanka and violate its Constitution." The whole tenor and substance of this document, consisting of 7 pages, make it explicit that the SLFP's rejection of the ISGA proposal submitted by the LTTE, is absolute, derisive and uncompromising. There is no room for dialogue or discussion at all."

"This kind of ambiguity does not characterize the position of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna on the subject of the ISGA proposal. From the outset, the JVP's opposition to the LTTE's ISGA proposal has been strident and unequivocal. Mr. Tilvin Silva, the General Secretary of the JVP, is on record as having stated that, if Her Excellency were to commence a dialogue with the LTTE on the ISGA proposal, the JVP would be compelled to intervene. Within hours of the release of the results of the Provincial Council elections in six Provinces held on 10th July 2004, the JVP put up posters all over the country denouncing the ISGA as the path to Eelam and expressing their unrelenting opposition to it. In an interview published in a Sunday newspaper on 11th July 2004, Mr. Somawansa Amerasinghe, the leader of the JVP, declared that the JVP is implacably opposed to the ISGA, whether it is linked to a proposed final solution or not. Soon afterwards, Mr. Somawansa Amerasinghe, during a visit to the Venerable Mahanayake of Malvatte on 16th July, is quoted in the media as stating categorically that the JVP has always opposed the ISGA proposal and will continue to do so."

"It is in these circumstances that the UPFA government, according to reports in the media during the last few days, contemplates the soliciting of support among Opposition Parties in connection with the revival of the peace process, now regrettably stalled."

"We ask the UPFA Government to take stock of the prevailing situation, to identify the options at its disposal, to consult in a spirit of openness with the constituent parties of the ruling coalition and to be resolute in the making of decisions which the safety of the nation demands. Above all the UPFA Government should speak with one voice and inspire confidence."

"As the largest single political party in the present Parliament, we are not merely prepared but eager to involve ourselves vigorously in a truly national endeavor. But we are mindful that this will be fruitful only if the UPFA Government, by virtue of the responsibilities necessarily devolving upon it as the repository of public power charged with guiding the destiny of the nation, does not take the path of least resistance and abdicate its duty."

24 August 2004

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