Sri Lanka's President urged not to retake defense ministry

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 November 2003, 15:29 GMT]
The Mahanayake Theras of Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters Sunday appealed to the President of Sri Lanka, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, not to retake the post of defense ministry thus plunging the country into crisis at a time Sri Lanka has joined the global community to establish peace in the country, media sources said.

Both Buddhist prelates, much revered by not only Buddhists but by other religious leaders too, made the urgent appeal as speculation is rife in Colombo political circles that every thing is set for the retaking of the defense ministry from the UNF government by Ms. Kumaratunge, media sources said.

The Most Venerable Vipassi Thera, Mahanayake of Malwatte, said the President should not attempt to retake the defense ministry from the UNF government at this juncture and such a measure would certainly aggravate the problems in the country, sources said.

Commenting on the LTTE's interim administrative proposals submitted last Saturday, Ven Vipassi Thera said that an opportunity is now available for the intellectuals and the clergy to table amendments to the LTTE proposals. He said the Buddhist clergy should be prepared to hold discussion in future with the government leaders against proposals, which are considered detrimental to the sovereignty of the country, media sources said.

The Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya, Most Venerable Udugama Buddharakita, said the President should abandon any move to retake the defense ministry at a time when foundation has been laid for the peace process. "Retaking of the defense ministry would contribute to the disruption of the current peace process. The President should consider the future and the well-being of the country at this decisive moment and support the peace process."

He further said that President should conduct discussion with the UNF government to settle issues without aggravating the problems, media sources said.