Sri Lanka facing instability - PM

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 17 February 2004, 14:02 GMT]
In a special address to the nation on a private TV station Tuesday night, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka is facing instability because of the actions of President Chandrika Kumaratunga. The cease-fire agreement is in jeopardy and the economy has suffered because of her action, he said. “We could have brought an impeachment motion against the President. We could have cut off funds to the three ministries taken over by her. Instead we hoped to work with her”, deplored Mr. Wickremesinghe in his TV address.

“We could have created a new political framework by moving away from confrontational politics. Hence, we decided to hold discussions with her. The people were also hoping for such an arrangement. The Maha Sangha (Buddhist clergy), other religious clergy, the civil society and the international community were also of the same opinion” the PM said.

“The President in her Independence Day address also said that there should be basic agreement between the two main parties at least in solving the national question. We were expecting to further respond to the proposition at the next round of discussions (between the representatives of the PM and President) scheduled for February 9. But before that she dissolved Parliament on February 7”, Mr. Wickremesinghe lamented.