Sri Lanka's main opposition lays condition for IA

[TamilNet, Friday, 30 May 2003, 16:29 GMT]
The main opposition Peoples Alliance (PA) Friday said that Tokyo donors' conference should be held as scheduled next month with the participation or non-participation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It further said that the interim administration should be established to facilitate the implementation of the political solution reached at the peace talks now being held between the GOSL and LTTE and with certain conditions, sources in Colombo said.

Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, PA parliamentarian and a close confidante of President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge Friday said at a press conference that the PA would not oppose handing over the internal administration for the northeast province to the LTTE. However the interim administration could be set up subject to certain conditions.

First condition is that the LTTE should come to an agreement to reach a political solution to the conflict. The other condition is to surrender all weapons the LTTE possess on reaching a final political solution to the conflict. These assurances should be given in writing by the LTTE, political sources said.

PA media spokesman Mr.Sarath Amunugama addressing a press conference held Friday said the present stand taken by the Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe on the LTTE request for an interim administration for the northeast with adequate powers is commendable. The Prime Minister has told the LTTE that he cannot go beyond the present constitution to set up an interim administration, sources said.

Mr.Amunugama added that the government should attend the Japan donors' conference even it is held without the participation of the LTTE, sources said.

Mr.Amunugama further requested the Prime Minister to continue the present stand without giving into pressure by the LTTE and to ensure that there should be a policy and guideline to establish the interim administration, sources said.

Mr. Mangala Samaraweera added that even if a new government is formed with the support of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the PA would continue the peace talks with the LTTE without any interruption, sources said.