The Political Column

6th September 1998

Ranil backs unconditional talks with the LTTE

By our Political Correspondent

The UNP's recent initiative to call an all- party conference to discuss the ethnic crisis has come under fire from minority parties. The CWC and other minority parties have issued statements to the Tamil media objecting to the UNP move.

They feel it would be a waste of time and resources to call a meeting of all parties at this stage.

Instead, they feel the UNP should have a dialogue with the government on what these parties see as positive aspects of the devolution package.

The SLMC feels the UNP has failed to come out with some positive proposals to solve this crisis though it has been saddled with the problem for 12 of its 17 years in office.

Even the Thirteenth Amendment which provided some regional autonomy was forced upon the UNP by India, one prominent SLMC member said.

Referring to the Select Committee on Constitutional Reforms, he said the UNP took part in deliberations for nearly two years and the PA government had clearly tried to accommodate the UNP proposals. But at the end, the UNP failed to go along with the proposals or suggestions that they themselves made on the pretext they were not approved by the Working Committee. Thus, the SLMC feels the bid by the UNP to call another all-party conference would not have any effect other than to prolong the whole process.

In the meantime, the UNP feels the government is not ready to face any election now, especially because of severe economic hardships and the escalating cost of living.

They simply cannot hold elections now, one senior UNPer said dismissing government propaganda that they were preparing for an early Presidential election.

One of the prime reasons for the sudden increase in the cost of living is the controversial Goods and Services Tax (GST) introduced in April.

Though the government had exempted many items from the GST, the effect on the ordinary people are seen as having a drastic effect.

Angry city workers complain they are forced to pay GST even for their humble packet of lunch.

Many observers feel the storm of protest over GST may compel the PA to put off all elections.

The main ruling party, the SLFP, for all intents and purposes, is going ahead with preparations for elections.

Elelction Campaign

At a recent meeting chaired by President Chandrika Kumaratunga, 20 committees were appointed to revamp the party and prepare for elections. The party is scheduled to start its election propaganda campaign from Kandy but it is unclear whether it will be provincial or Presidential elections.

The management committee comprises Ministers Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Dharmasiri Senanayake, Lakshman Jayakody, D.M Jayaratne, Anuruddha Ratwatte, Kingsley Wickremaratne, Richard Pathirana, Maithripala Sirisena, Lakshman Kadrirgamar and G.L Peiris.

The publicity committee comprises Ministers Dharmasiri Senanayake, Anuruddha Ratwatte, Amarasiri Dodangoda, D.M Jayaratne, Mangala Samaraweera, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, S.B. Dissanayake, G.L Peiris, C.V Gooneratne, Nandimithra Ekanayake, Berty Premalal Dissanayake, Deputy Ministers Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Reginold Cooray, Dilan Perera MP, and President's Media Adviser Sanath Gunatillake.

These two committees are likely to seek assistance from various personalities, including journalists.

The names of these personalities have been mentioned in an official document sent to ministers. They are:

Janadasa Peiris, Nimal Ekanayake, Chandraratne Bandara, Bandutilleke, Devapriya Abeysinghe, Chaminda Liyanage, Ananda Gunatilleke, Sujeeva Dissanayake, Anura Ratnayake, Newton Gunaratne, Laksman Perera, Ariya Rubesinghe, Sanath Gunatillake, Wijedasa Rajapaksa, Lal Wickremarachchi, Rohan Samarajeewa, Ananda Dharmasiri, Priyantha Wickramasinghe and Ruwan Guruge.

Most of them are state media journalists or media officers of various ministries.

There is another list which gives the names of Tara de Mel, Mano Tittawella, Nimal Gunawardena, Tilan Wijesinghe, Ajith Tittawella, all connected to the government and holding high posts.

The other committees appointed are the organizing committee and the committees to co-ordinate with religious bodies, lawyers and law students, samurdhi animators and recipients, farmer societies, teachers and principals of schools, artists and various connected organizations, traders, minorities, armed forces and police.

Urban middle class, trade unions, women's organizations, media, fisheries organizations, youth organizations, a political review committee and a committee to educate and bring awareness among the masses of local government bodies.

The strategy

The committee appointed to organize meetings throughout the country has already met and decided on the strategy. But most of the participants at this meeting are unaware of the type of election the President is aiming at.

However, it seems the provincial elections could come first since the government is aware that it would be difficult for it to push it off beyond January without the consensus of the opposition.

The government at the same time is again considering the possibility of holding talks with the LTTE. There is speculation that President Kumaratunga is likely to talk to some organizations which have direct links with the LTTE, during her current visit to South Africa.

It is also learnt that South African President Nelson Mandela had offered his good offices to mediate in the conflict.

On an earlier occasion Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an elder statesman of South Africa also offered his services to mediate in the matter.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe's recent press interview with Sanjeevi, the weekly issue of the Jaffna Daily Uthayan, received wide publicity in the state media.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said that his party would hold talks with the LTTE unconditionally if it came to office. UNP seniors say the party is trying to prepare the ground for this.

However, the LTTE's basic demand is, that government troops should pull back to positions they were in before the 'Riviresa I Operation'.

Mr. Wickremesinghe's statement at a time the government is doing the groundwork for a dialogue with the LTTE is not surprising.

The UNP too apparently wants to woo the Tamil votes which it needs to come back to office. But the minorities are concerned about the UNP's insistence on the unitary nature of the Constitution when it comes to devolution and its keenness at the same time to stick to the Provincial Council concept envisaged by the 13th Amendment though with more powers.

The 13th Amendment has been flatly rejected not only by militants but also by most moderates who say it is unacceptable.

Despite its wavering stand on the minority question, the UNP is placed favourably today due to economic hardships people are facing.

The UNP's Colombo Central organization meeting on Wednesday was more successful than the recent Hyde Park rally meant to protest against the postponement of elections.

Former Deputy Mayor M.E.H. Maharoof appears to have done a good job in organizing the meeting. In addition to his organizing skills, he also was lavish in his approach giving the participants caps, T-shirts and other things.

A good show with music and the UNP hierarchy is happy, since they could show their strength to the people who organized an anti-Ranil Wickremesinghe meeting at the Premadasa Centre in Hulftsdorp the previous Sunday.

Mr. Wickremesinghe is now touring the country setting up UNP groups in each electorate, helping the local UNPers strengthen their party structure in the provinces.

Mr. Wickremesinghe also met members of the Editors' Guild last week, who wanted to get his support for their campaign to abolish criminal defamation laws and the Press Council.

They urged the opposition leader to agitate for greater media freedom to make democracy more meaningful.

Broadbasing Lake House and giving more freedom to the state-run Rupavahini and Broadcasting Corporation were among the subjects discussed. Mr. Wickremesinghe said that there was no purpose in keeping Lake House under government control once they achieve their objective of setting up an Independent Police Commission, Election Commission and an Independent Public Service Commission.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said that it would be rather difficult to fully privatize the state-controlled Broadcasting Corporation and the Rupavahini, but he felt that these two institutions could come under a special statutory body similar to the British Broadcasting Corporation.

He said the UNP intended amalgamating the two bodies, the SLBC and the Rupavahini which may require new laws.

On the criminal defamation laws, Mr. Wickremesinghe said that he was for abolition but some alternative on the lines of US laws was needed.

The editors also drew the attention of the UNP leader to the recent legislation passed by the government that a decision in a High Court would be used as conclusive evidence in a Civil Court.

It was pointed out that it was passed during the UNP's boycott of Parliament and Mr. Wickremesinghe said they hoped to bring in amendments to this law rather than agitating for a total abolition.

When the editors urged that the opposition should display its sincerity while in the opposition rather than giving pledges to be fulfilled once it comes back to office, Mr. Wickremesinghe said the UNP as a responsible opposition would introduce a resolution in Parliament regarding the Freedom of Information Act but it would be necessary to define the principle of state secrets in keeping with the Official Secrets Act.

He requested the Editors' Guild to submit a draft proposal on the matter. UNP lawyers would study the proposal before introducing it as a resolution in Parliament.

The editors also called upon the opposition to push for the abolition of the Press Council and replace it with a Voluntary Media Council.

But Mr. Wickremesinghe expressed support for a Statutory Press Complaints Commission which could compel newspapers to answer summons.The editors are now likely to go before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Media Reforms to present their case for a new media policy in Sri Lanka.

Another important event of the week was the appointment of Lucky Kodituwakku as the new Inspector General of Police.

He replaced W.B. Rajaguru who retired on August 31.

President Kumaratunga had referred to Mr. Kodituwakku's appointment at the last Cabinet meeting before she left for South Africa.

She said she had decided to appoint DIG Kodituwakku as the IGP though there were two others senior to him.

The DIG

She said both Dharmadasa Silva and Kingsley Wickremasuriya were fine officers and their capabilities were appreciated. But she decided on DIG Kodituwakku for reasons which she did not fully explain. The President said she had advised the new IGP not to yield to any pressures from any quarter including ministers.

She had also told the ministers not to interfere with the work of the IGP and that he be allowed to function independently.

"If there are any problems regarding the Police Department, please tell me," the President said.

IGP Kodituwakku addressing his first news conference, pledged he would function independently upholding the rule of law.

Another talking point in Colombo was the chance meeting between President Kumaratunga and her estranged brother Anura Bandaranaike at the Nawaloka Hospital on Monday.

President Kumaratunga on her way to South Africa decided to drop in at the Nawaloka Hospital to see Minister A.H.M. Fowzie who is resting after a heart ailment.

It was only sister Sunethra who knew about the President's un-announced visit to the hospital.

At the same time, Anura also happened to be there. On seeing his sister, the President, coming in, an apparently excited Anura said, "Hello Chandrika, I thought you had already gone".

"I am on my way", the President replied and added, "I thought you are in New York", apparently referring to his up-coming trip to collect funds for the UNP.

They spoke for a while and later the President said she was getting late for the flight. Then she told Mr. Fowzie he could go to Singapore for further treatment if he wished to.

She said she has already left instructions with her Secretary K. Balapatabendi to do the needful.

Anura B and CBK

As she left the ward, in a moment of warmth, the President touched Anura's wrist and said, " Look after yourself, Anura." No wonder premier Sirima Bandaranaike was full of joy over the meeting of her two children, even though it was a chance one.

Apart from the President several ministers also called on Mr. Fowzie in hospital.

His Cabinet rival, Minister M.H.M. Ashraff also telephoned Mr. Fowzie's son from New York to wish Mr. Fowzie a speedy recovery.

Mr. Fowzie wondered how Minister Ashraff got to know of the illness so soon, though he was far away. The question was answered when Colombo businessman A.J.M. Muzammil and Colombo Deputy Mayor Omar Kamil came to the hospital. Mr. Fowzie was discharged on Thursday and is now resting at home.

In another significant development, Northern Ireland's conflict resolution expert Professor Thomas Fraser - known to be a key figure in drafting the Northern Ireland Peace Accord was in Colombo for a series of seminars and meetings.

Besides, government leaders and other leading figures, he also met the opposition leader.

During the talks, Mr. Wickremesinghe reportedly told Prof. Fraser the UNP wanted unconditional talks with the LTTE.

He said if the government intends to hold unconditional talks with the LTTE, the UNP would be happy to help. Prof. Fraser gave a number of lectures in Colombo and also went to Jaffna for discussions with professors and other experts there.

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