UNP, PA press release

[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 March 2000, 12:24 GMT]
A joint communique was issued after the second round of talks held on Thursday between the delegations from the People's Alliance (PA) and the United National Party (UNP). President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge chaired the discussion.

At the commencement of the talks, the UNP delegation raised the question of the interview given by President Kumaratunge to the Far Eastern Economic Review Magazine regarding the alleged support for the LTTE by the United National Party. The UNP delegation denied that there was any connection between the two groups.

The President explained the position regarding this interview. She further stated that she would look into this matter and if found necessary she would clarify the issue further.

Thereafter both delegations commenced further discussions on the chapters of the draft constitution of October 1997, relating to citizenship and the devolution of power.

The mode of appointment of Governors of the regions was also discussed in detail. A committee consisting of Ministers Prof. G. L. Peiris and M. H. M. Ashraff from the PA and Mr. K. N. Choksy of the UNP was appointed to examine further the question of the mode of appointment of the Governors. The committee would also examine the current proposals relating to fundamental rights and the judiciary and then submit their views for further discussion.

Both delegations agreed to meet next week at Temple Trees for the third round of talks.

According to the joint communique, the PA delegation comprised of Ministers Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Dharmasiri Senanayake, D. M. Jayaratne, G. L. Peiris, Indika Gunawardene, Batty Weerakoon and M. H. M. Ashraff.

The UNP delegation comprised of Ranil Wickremasinghe, Karu Jayasuriya, Gamini Athukorala, Ronnie de Mel and K. N. Choksy.

President's Secretary K. Balapatabendi and Dr. Jayampathy Wickremaratne were also present at the discussions.