"National govt. won't solve problems" -Hakeem

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 August 2001, 15:45 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress has appealed to the main opposition United National Party to formulate and implement a strategy that would compel the government to call a new general election early. Mr.Rauff Hakeem, leader of the SLMC and Kandy District Parliamentarian Wednesday said, "some political parties joining in the name of forming a national government of reconciliation will not solve the burning problems of the country."

Commenting on the Prime Minister's invitation to Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe for political talks to resolve the present political crisis, Mr. Hakeem said, "there is no alternative to a general election to resolve the present political crisis. The chauvinist policy of the government has now become evident as it has invited the main opposition party to form a government in the name of national reconciliation."

"The mandate given by the people to the present government has now lapsed. Therefore a new mandate should be obtained first from the people to form a new government," said Mr. Hakeem. "My party is now prepared to accommodate suitable adjustments in its policy if the United National Party adopts a strategy that would force the government to conduct an early general election."

"The government earlier attempted to destroy the SLMC by causing a split in its rank and file. Now the ruling party is on the verge of a split," Mr.Hakeem said.

Meanwhile, UNP's high command will meet Wednesday evening to discuss the latest move by the PA government, party sources said.