SLFP wants diplomatic approach to UN issue than protest

[TamilNet, Friday, 09 July 2010, 15:38 GMT]
Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the main constituent of the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government led by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse Friday called upon its constituent parties for more diplomatic approach to resolve the crisis with the United Nations over the appointment of Experts Panel on Sri Lanka and to advice the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon that holding protests and fasting against UN organization. Senior members including six cabinet ministers have appealed to the hierarchy of the SLFP to resolve the issues diplomatically. SLFP general secretary and a senior minister Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have told Colombo media that the issue with the UN could have been resolved in a diplomatic manner than protesting agaist it.

Another senior minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told media the ideas of other political parties in the government should be respected as well.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had acted in ‘precipitant haste’ by calling UN’s Country Representative Neil Buhne to New York for consultations, External Affairs Minister G.L.Peiris told Parliament Friday.

Prof. Peiris further said that the government regrets Moon’s decision to call the country representative for consultations.

Political observers think that NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa has resigned his ministry portfolio due to the difference of opinion in the ruling UPFA that has arisen over the fasting by him.

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