P-TOMS debate continues in parliament

[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 August 2005, 13:32 GMT]
"We would create one hundred Pirapaharan instead of one in the North East if we allow the current political crisis situation without P-TOMS and with the stalled peace process to continue," said Mr.Maithiripala Sirisena, Minister of Irrigation and Rajarata Development participating in the P-TOMS debate, which began Thursday in parliament.

Mr. Sirisena spoke after the Mr.Wimal Weeravanse, parliamentary group leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

The debate was fixed on the request of the JVP, which withdrew its support to the United Peoples Freedom Alliance government when it signed the P-TOMS agreement with the LTTE.

Mr.Maithiripala Sirisena further said successive governments in power had failed to find a reasonable solution to the ethnic problem.

P-TOMS agreement with the LTTE was signed to render humanitarian assistance to tsunami-affected families coastal areas and to reconstruct such areas currently under the control of the LTTE in the northeast, Mr.Maithiripala Sirisena

Mr.Weerasinghe opened the debate and spoke for about one and a half hours.

Mr.Wimal Weeravanse said the JVP would not allow the implementation of the P-TOMS at any cost. The JVP would oppose the P-TOMS with the support of the Sinhalese masses. P-TOMS structure has been drafted in such a way to hand over the sovereignty of a portion of Sri Lanka to the LTTE.

"JVP will not consider extending our support to the SLFP candidate in the Presidential election until the government cancels the P-TOMS agreement," said Mr.Wimal Weeravanse.