"UPFA will form a peace consultative committee"- Minister

[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 10:59 GMT]
"When peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the Liberation Tigers resume, the GoSL will form a consultative committee which will include representatives from all political parties. Sri Lanka's President will assume full responsibility for all political decisions regarding the peace process," said Leader of the House and General Secretary of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Minister Maithiripala Sirisena, in the parliament today.

Responding to questions raised by Leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Rauf Hakim, and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) parliamentarian, Rathulige Rathnaseela Thero, Minister Sirisena added, "resumption of peace talks will not necessarily give the Liberation Tigers international legitimacy."

"The Liberation Tigers submitted their Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) proposals on 31 October 2003. The Sri Lanka Government is carefully analyzing the positive and negative elements in the document. We are also preparing an alternative set of proposals.

"Unlike the previous United National Front (UNF) government which did not consult with other parties in matters relating to the peace process, the UPFA will include all parties to obtain their advice. We will consult the Muslim members of parliament in issues impacting the aspirations of the Muslim people," Minister Sirisena added.