President agrees to discuss Wimal’s proposals for reforms

Monday, 26 May 2014 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has agreed to discuss the proposals for reforms submitted by a coalition party with the senior members of the main constituent party of the ruling alliance. The leader of the Government coalition party, National Freedom Front (NFF), Minister Wimal Weerawansa yesterday handed over the party’s 12-point proposals for reforms to the President at Temple Trees.

The President discussed the proposals in length with the NFF delegation and assured the delegation that he will further review them with the seniors of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in near future. National Freedom Front spokesman Mohamed Muzammil said the President told the delegation that he believes constructive reforms need to take place for the public depending on the present situation in the country. The NFF adopted the 12 proposals at the party’s second National Convention held earlier this month. The NFF proposed to the Government to place a new draft constitution before the people ensuring the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, national reconciliation, good governance, and widening of the democratic rights of the people. The party strongly condemning the US-sponsored UN resolution on Sri Lanka adopted this year suggested the Government not to allow any “international agents” be sent to Sri Lanka to investigate alleged war crimes. The NFF also proposed that the law of the land should be strictly implemented irrespective of the position of political parties and the death penalty should be implemented for those who will be found guilty of drug related offences. During the meeting, the NFF delegation has also pointed out the economic problems the public are facing currently to the President, the spokesman said. The NFF delegation was represented by its leader Minister Wimal Weerawansa, member of its politburo Deputy Minister Weerakumara Dissanayake, former minister Piyasiri Wijenayake, former MP Jayantha Samaraweera, Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Deepal Gunasekara and spokesman Mohamed Muzammil. Ministers Susil Premajayantha and Dullas Alahapperuma also participated in the discussions. – Pix by Udesh Gunarathna

Wimal opposes South African mediation

Government Minister and National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa has strongly opposed a South African initiative to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in Sri Lanka, aimed at helping the country to address outstanding accountability and reconciliation issues.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Minister Weerawansa said the South African intervention would make room for the internationalization of what he says should remain a domestic issue. South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) has been engaging with the Sri Lankan Government on talks to set up a South African style TRC, to address post-war issues that have resulted in increased international pressure on Colombo and a UN led war crimes investigation. Earlier this year, South African President Jacob Zuma appointed Cyril Ramaphosa as South Africa’s Special Envoy to Sri Lanka. Ramaphosa is expected to travel to Sri Lanka for high level talks next months. The Minister noted that there was a view agreeing to the demands of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to have South Africa assist with a TRC process in Sri Lanka, by playing the role of intermediary between the TNA and the Government the international pressure exerted on Colombo by the US led resolution at the UNHRC could be mitigated. “Wigneswaran may want international mediation but for the Sri Lankan issue, but we don’t need international mediation,” he told reporters yesterday. Weerawansa says the US will continue with its pressure on Sri Lanka no matter what happens and if the Government still persists with moves to have South Africa involved in the country’s national question, that would be seen as a serious issue. (With excerpts from Colombo Gazette)