Political parties present 12 proposals on UN resolution at all party meeting

President Maithripala Sirisena chaired the second all-party meeting held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss the opinions of the leaders of political parties about how the government should implement the Geneva Proposals.

According to the decisions taken at the first all party meeting held on October 22, participating political parties presented 12 proposals to be considered.

The President instructed to give Sinhala, English and Tamil translations of the proposals of each political party to the participating parties as requested by them at the first all party meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, the President stressed that every action in relevant to Geneva Proposals will be taken in accordance with the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

He said the all party meeting will be held according to a fixed agenda and time frame in the future and instructed to appoint a committee to take ideas, based on the mechanisms of truth seeking, accountability, reparation and enforcing of laws.

The President said the government will sensitively consider the proposals, concerning the common agreements as well as common objections to make the all party meeting successful.

Pointing out that this opportunity is a new experience to everybody including the government, politicians and public servants, the President said the issues should be solved in a manner that the dignity of the country is safeguarded.

Leader of the Sri Lanka Communist Party Dew Gunasekara suggested to adopt the agreeable ideas in parliament and come to agreement on disagreeable areas.

MP Dinesh Gunawardena, leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna observed that it is important that President personally study every proposal presented by each party. He emphasized that facts in Geneva Proposals are not acceptable and proposals on hybrid court violate the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

The leader of Sri Lanka Sama Samaja Party Tissa Vitharana said that the all party meeting should give an opportunity for every party to express their independent ideas, and also every decision should be taken according to the discussions at the all party meeting.

The President said the all party meeting is a free platform for everybody to express their ideas.

The leader of the Democratic Party Sarath Fonseka said the proposals of this new government should not be similar to the agenda of the former government and lessons should be learnt from previous mistakes when entering into a new journey.

Leader of the Sri Lanka Labour Congress Senthil Thondaman said that the Tamil people have confidence over the President's ability to make the all-party discussions successful. He said it is seen in his intervention to free political prisoners. He added that the minor communities have confidence that the all-party discussions will be practically implemented.

Leader of the Democratic People's Front, Minister Mano Ganesan said the interest shown by the political parties on Geneva Proposals should be proceeded for the solution of ethnic problem.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera stated that the 20 facts related to the proposals should be studied separately. He said the political parties should express their likes and dislikes for each issue.

Vijitha Herath, JVP Member of Parliament said solutions should be found within a local frame. He stated the government should explain to the people about the discourse on this intervention.

MP Amir Ali representing All Island People's Congress Member of Parliament said the time frame of the investigations about the human rights violations should go back to 1985.

Leader of Democratic People's Liberation Front D. Siddharthan said the government has responsibility to cure the hearts of the Tamil people. They have confidence over President's commitment on this regard.