"Early election if UNP, UPFA failed to reach consensus" - Buddhist prelate warns

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 13 April 2004, 07:57 GMT]
The Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter the Most Venerable Buddharakita said Tuesday that the country is at risk facing another general election within a short time if the leaders of the two major political parties which have not obtained majority in the recent poll failed to arrive at a consensus to find solutions to burning problems of the country.

The Buddhist prelate stressed this when the leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Mr.Rauff Hakim paid a courtesy call Tuesday morning in Kandy.

Other SLMC parliamentarians accompanied Mr.Rauff Hakim, sources said.

The country needed a stable administration at this juncture to find solutions to all political, religious and social problems, which have been affecting the entire fabric of the society. The two major political parties have failed to get enough seats in the new parliament to establish a stable administration. Hence the urgent need of today is that both parties should come to an understanding in the interest of the country, stressed the Buddhist prelate in the discussion with Mr.Rauff Hakim, sources said.

The Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter warned that if both major parties failed to realize the urgent need of this hour, the country would be forced to hold another general election in a year or two, sources said.

Mr.Rauff Hakim briefed the Buddhist prelate about the political situation in the country after the recent poll.