"Settlement sans traditional homeland concept" - PM

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 May 2002, 20:04 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe said that a system of devolution of power must be found at the negotiating table without dividing the country and without accepting the concept of a traditional Tamil homeland. He was addressing the first May Day rally of the United National Front (UNF) government held Wednesday at Colombo Municipal Council grounds.

Mr.Wickremasinghe said the UNF has received a massive mandate from the people at the last general election to achieve peace without dividing the country. " I am committed to achieve peace in this country with the support of all communities," said Mr.Wickremasinghe.

"Now only a cease-fire agreement is in force. All other matters related to find a political solution to the ethnic conflict should be discussed at the negotiating table in direct talks with the LTTE," said the Prime Minister.

He further said that Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict cannot be solved without international support and that his government would seek the advice of the Maha Sangha in this regard.

President Chandrika Kumaratunge addressing the May Day rally of the People's Alliance and the Sri Lanka Freedom party at Haputale in the central province Wednesday said that the UNF government is trying its best to split her party.

"The Prime Minister is attempting to achieve peace through a forged agreement with the LTTE leader, without informing me", said Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge, Executive President of the country.

"There is no media freedom in the country," said the President.