UPFA ignoring critical national issues- Prof Peiris

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 01 December 2004, 12:09 GMT]
"Political parties in the South should recognize the "potentially dangerous" situation Sri Lanka is facing. The United National party (UNP) is ready to support any genuine steps the Government of Sri Lanka takes to resolve critical National issues faced by this country," said Prof G L Peiris Monday in Kandy after meeting Asgiriya Mahanayake Thera in Dalda Maligawa, sources said.

G L Peiris and Chairman of UNP Malik Samaraweera met with Mahanayake Thera and held discussions on matters related to national security and the current political in Colombo. Discussions were held behind closed doors.

Speaking to the press after the meeting Prof Peiris said: "The Sri Lanka Government is focussing attention on matters that fulfil the ambitions of a selected few and not on burning national issues of peace and the economy. Attempts to amend the constitution against the law and organizing moves against the speaker will make the situation worse."

In reply to query raised by the media regarding Rohitha Bogollagama's decision to join the government Prof Pieris said the UNP executive committee would soon take a decision. He said that there was "no truth in the statement made through media that more UNP members are planning to cross over to the government. No UNP members will join the government."

"UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe is prepared to discuss any matter of national interest with Ms Kumaratunge. However the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is spending its energy and focus on getting more UNPers to cross over their side. It is clear UPFA is ignoring the gravity of the situation facing Sri Lanka on sustaining peace. The UPFA, unfortunately, is not actively seeking to form a broad coalition to resolve matters of critical importance to Sri Lanka and its citizens," Prof Peiris said.