Sri Lanka's PM withdraws from peace process

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 November 2003, 10:40 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, Friday said that he has informed the President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunge, to take in charge of the peace process, saying he is unable to take forward the process launched two years ago due to the current political crisis.

"I have informed my decision to the LTTE and to the donor countries and India through the Norwegian peace envoys," Mr.Wickremasinghe told members of the ruling parliamentary group meeting which was held Friday at the parliamentary complex, sources said.

Mr.Wickremasinghe added that he would not extend his support to the President's call for a national government if she thought only of sharing cabinet portfolios. He pointed out that his government had a majority in parliament and at this stage it was inappropriate to think about sharing cabinet portfolios between the two main political parties.

Related Articles:
14.11.03   Don't sacrifice peace for political gain - NPC
14.11.03   Norway temporarily withdraws from peace process
13.11.03   Pirapaharan, Norwegians discuss peace, Colombo crisis
12.11.03   TNA urges UNF not to abdicate responsibility
12.11.03   PM, President talks inconclusive