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LTTE-friendly approach adopted as These developments have raised questions, both in SLFP and JVP circles, over the origins of the policy shift. The UPFA's manifesto was officially launched on March 11 but a revised version, just one week later, titled "policies and working plan" sets out the new plan. No explanation, however, has been offered for the change of policy. The Sunday Times learns that even the cover design has been altered from the original. The original had a smaller picture of President Chandrika Kumaratunga, but the latest version has a bigger picture of the President and they have also dropped the theme 'Rata Perata' (Take the country forward) from the cover page. SLFP sources confirmed that certain changes had been made in the manifesto compared to the manifesto released on March 11. But, JVP's Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa claimed that a second manifesto had not been put out by the Alliance and claimed that it was the work of the UNP, raising speculation that the Alliance manifesto has been changed without the JVP’s knowledge. The original manifesto declared steps would be taken to enter into a process of negotiations with the LTTE and other groups to bring about "reasonable conditions" and a "sustainable solution." The newer version appears to be a tactical shift to give greater prominence to the LTTE by saying "while having talks with the LTTE" it will also hold talks with other groups. Significantly, the earlier policy position of having conditions for talks with the LTTE has been dropped. Before the launch of the Manifesto on March 11, Information Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar declared that the Alliance would not have conditions for talks and that such talks would be only held with the LTTE. However, the JVP's Wimal Weerawansa told The Sunday Times that they would adhere to the manifesto. JVP speakers on television talk shows when confronted with this contradiction kept showing the MoU and later the original manifesto and claimed that was the correct position despite what Mr. Kadirgamar said. The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the SLFP and the JVP also contained contradictory positions. Whilst the SLFP's policy was defined as devolution of power, the JVP advocated a system of administrational decentralisation of power. However, neither in the March 11 manifesto nor in this week's revised version, is there any reference made to devolution or decentralization. It simply declares ensuring equal rights to all communities, providing the people in the north and east with their basic rights, ensuring equal job and educational opportunities as means to resolve the ethnic issue. The softening of the alliance position on resuming talks with the LTTE comes amidst another attempt by the UPFA to link with deposed Batticaloa-Ampara leader Karuna ahead of the elections. In addition to the revision about its plans on resolving the ethnic issue the UPFA election manifesto also has introduced changes in the economic policy presentations. In the original version on building a strong national economy the first clause states " Stop privatisation of national resources and public institutions and make them play an important role in the regeneration of the national economy." While the revised manifesto opted to drop this clause totally, it does not even have the term privatisation used in its section on building a national economy. The revised version of the manifesto speaks of Western consultation for economic reforms while the MoU signed between the two parties earlier had a comprehensive critique on the Western lending and economic agencies. |
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