Chandrika urged not to derail the peace process

[TamilNet, Sunday, 24 February 2002, 15:52 GMT]
The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) Sunday, a constituent of the main opposition People's Alliance (PA) appealed to President Chandrika Kumaratunge and the leaders of other political parties not to derail the peace process which is gathering momentum after signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United National Front (UNF) government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge is the leader of the PA. Mr. Batty Weerakoon in a statement issued Sunday welcomed the MoU and the initiations of confidence building measures taken by the parties concerned.

"The UNF government led by Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe has been given a mandate by the people to usher in peace although the President is the first citizen of the country," the General Secretary and the former Justice Minister in the PA government Mr. Batty Weerakoon said in the statement.

He appealed to President Chandrika Kumaratunge "not to underestimate the MoU by alleging that it was unconstitutional and inconclusive and to act responsibly".

"The ceasefire agreement that came into force with the signing of MoU Saturday was the best of its kind so far. The President of the country and other political parties should not engage in any acts which could instill fear among the general public," Mr. Weerakoon who is also veteran trade unionist in the country said in his statement.