* Further strengthening of fundamental rights.
* Introduction of a Presidency elected by popular vote that would have the present executive powers limited and then held responsible to the parliament and to the judiciary. Strengthening of powers and responsibilities of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers. The new Constitution to provide for two (02) Vice Presidencies to be elected from among the cabinet of ministers in consensus with the President.
* Maximum of thirty two (32) ministers sworn in to the cabinet and no other ministers except the deputy ministers will be appointed. At no time will the total of 32 ministers and the deputy ministers together exceed 1/3 of the total number of MPs.
* Introduction of an electoral system that would ensure a majority that would allow for a comfortable government.
* All effort would be taken to introduce the system of by-elections and strict laws would be introduced to bar Members from crossing over from the political party from which he/she is elected from at an election, to another political party.
* A permanent Select Committee comprising of all political parties representing parliament will be established to monitor the implementation of election promises and policies.
* Steps will be taken to make the judicial process simple.
* The Police Department will be de-politicised and turned into a strong and credible organisation to establish law and order in society.
A major effort will be made to eradicate drugs and illegal use of fire arms within six (06) months from forming a government. Immediate steps will be taken to investigate all abductions, involuntary disappearances, extra judicial killings and extortions and bring the offenders in front of the law. Also those Police Officers who have taken the law into their hands for political reasons will be severely dealt with according to law.
* Laws and regulations necessary to curb corruption, fraud and bribery will be provided for in the Constitution and existing law will be strengthened.
* Immediate and special measures will be taken to bring those who were involved in the Telecom deal, corrupt procurement of arms and ammunition at a very high cost, acquiring of Mig 27 and Mig 29 aircraft for very high prices, Licenses issued by the Telecom Regulatory Commission, Licenses issued for Radio and Television stations, Mihin Air Company, Lanka Logistics and Technologies Company among others.
* Agrees to find a solution within 09 months to the ethnic conflict that has been dragged for decades with All Party Conferences, Commissions and Committees by accelerating the process of finding a solution that accepts wide sharing of power within an undivided country in which every citizen, whether Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim Burgher, Malay or any other Minority would be equally accepted and treated and will enjoy equal fundamental and democratic rights.
The basic objective of this exercise will be to unite Sri Lanka and a solution based on power sharing that could be agreed upon by all sections of the society be submitted for public approval at a national Referendum. Both parties agree to strictly forbid any opportunity to provide training, procure arms, assassinate intelligence, military or Police officers and to engage in any other terrorist activities.
*A major offensive will be launched with the support of all people who honour peace and with the support of the international community to eradicate terrorism and separatism from Sri Lanka if any party refuses to accept the solution that safe guards the integrity of all, enforced on a majority decision of the public.
* Both parties agree to appoint a main Committee and Sub – Committees to draft a long term national economic plan.
* Foreign relations that has hitherto been affected will be duly rehabilitated and a foreign policy that would uphold Sri Lanka's self respect and identity will be adopted, while developing extremely friendly and mutually respectful relationships with India and other SAARC region countries, China, Japan, EU member nations, USA and all other countries.
*At least a minimum of two thirds (2/3) of all positions in the Foreign Service will be invariably filled by career diplomats.
* A definite programme will be implemented to guarantee media freedom and to stop all forms of media harassments that aim at covering fraud and corruption using the war as a cover. Provide Constitutional safety to deny future attempts at enabling the Criminal Defamation law.
* Although a parliamentary select committee has been requested and a complaint lodged with the Terrorism Investigation Unit against Rs. 200 million given to the LTTE in order to block votes at the 2005 Presidential elections to ensure election victory and there after on billions of rupees given through numerous methods, no action have been taken to date and therefore a wide ranging inquiry will be conducted to identify and punish the traitors and culprits who are responsible for the deaths of security personnel that is the result of purchase of arms, ammunition and explosives by the terrorists from these monies.
The UNP and the Mahajana Paarshawaya (People's Faction) of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party as primary partners in achieving the above, agree to form a broad front with all democratic political parties and people's organisations who agree with the above policies.
Both parties agree to work tirelessly in bringing all other democratic political parties and organisations into this National Congress.
When an election is held in the future, the UNP and the Mahajana Paarshawaya (People's Faction) of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party while agreeing both parties have a right to work independently with their own identities, also agree to work as follows;
That front will be called the "National Congress".
If necessary in any time in the future, the United National Party and the Mahajana Paarshawaya (People's Faction) of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party will nominate two (02) persons as Joint Secretaries of the National Congress.
Both parties agree that Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe will hold the office of Prime Minister while Mr. Mangala Samaraweera will hold the office of Deputy Prime Minister and in accordance with the additional agreement entered into this day, agree to share the total 32 Cabinet portfolios, the deputy ministerial posts and the subjects while also agreeing to discuss same with other political parties in the future. |
