TULF says PA-UNP formula "unacceptable"

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 July 2000, 11:02 GMT]
The delegation of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) that met the Sri Lankan President Monday afternoon to the discuss devolution formula which the government and the United National Party agreed upon last week, told her that the PA-UNP proposal did not satisfy Tamil aspirations with regard to the structure of the Sri Lankan state, the unit of devolution and powers relating to state land. The TULF delegation "impressed upon the government that the LTTE should be involved in the negotiating process in order to bring an end to the war and an effective resolution to the conflict". The party said that it had strongly objected to the referendum to determine the continuation of the north-eastern province as one unit.

The following is the full text of the TULF press release regarding the meeting with President Chandrika Kumaratunga Bandaranaike.

"On the invitation of Her Excellency the President, a delegation of the TULF comprising of (sic) Mr. R.Sampanthan, secretary general, Mr. V. Anadadasangari, Senior Vice President, Mr. Joseph Pararajasingham MP and Mr. Mavai Senathirajah met the President at Temple Trees on Monday 10 July 2000. Prof. G.L Pieris Minister of Justice (deputy) and Constitutional Affairs along with Ministers M.H.M Asharaff, Indika Gunawardena and Batty Weerakoon were present."

"The President explained to the TULF delegation the outcome of the discussions held with the UNP".

"The TULF impressed upon the President the vital importance of the proposed constitutional formulations being acceptable particularly in the regard to the structure of the state, the unit of devolution and powers relating to state land. The TULF also expressed their strong objections to the proposal to hold a referendum in regard to the unit of devolution."

"The TULF also impressed upon the government that the LTTE should be involved in the negotiating process in order to bring an end to the war and an effective resolution of the conflict."