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Peace group comes out against dissolution
By Santhush Fernando
The National Movement for Peace and Democracy, a newly formed organisation of artistes, activists and religious leaders, held a protest yesterday calling on the President and the Prime Minister not to go for snap polls. They also called for the resumption of the stalled peace talks and normalising of civil life.

TNA Parliamentarian Nadaraja Raviraj, Provincial Councillor Wickramabahau Karunaratne, former MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara, artistes W. Jayasiri, Swarna Mallawarachchi were among those who participated at the group's inaugural public meeting yesterday at the New Town Hall in Colombo.

The organisation's executive committee comprises former Janasaviya Commissioner-General Susil Siriwardena, Ven. Maradankadawala Assaji Thera, Rev. Yohan Devananda of the Anglican Church, Swami P. Sivalokanadan Thirukkal of Jaffna and Trincomalee Co-ordinator of the Interfaith Peace Foundation Maulavi E.M.M. Cassim, representing all major religions.

Mr. Siriwardena said the movement was not affiliated to any political party.
Mr. Raviraj in his speech asked why the President, who claims that it was she who introduced the peace process and facilitator role of Norway to Sri Lanka, was rejecting both now.

Provincial Councillor Wickramabahu Karunaratne said they would not allow anyone to lead the country back to its barbaric past and asked the people to come forward in protest islandwide and compel the President to restart the stalled peace process.

The movement condemned the actions of the newly formed SLFP-JVP alliance and the Patriotic National Movement (PNM), accusing them of stirring religious and ethnic tensions in the country.

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