The Hindu : Ranil offers fresh proposals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004

International

International

Ranil offers fresh proposals

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO, FEB. 3. Officials representing the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, today submitted a set of detailed proposals aimed at the "sharing of Defence powers." The proposals were part of the efforts to find a solution to end the island's three-month-long political standoff.

They were submitted during a meeting of the Committee of Officials representing the President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, and Mr. Wickremesinghe. Sources close to the Prime Minister described the proposals as a "detailed document" containing "new ideas." A joint statement issued after the meeting said the committee would meet again on February 9 to "to finalise a set of proposals" to be submitted to Ms. Kumaratunga and Mr. Wickremesinghe.

Today's meeting comes against the backdrop of a deadlock between the leaders on the sensitive issue of control over the Defence Ministry, which was constitutionally taken over by Ms. Kumaratunga on November 4, 2003. Mr. Wickremesinghe subsequently gave up responsibility for the peace process, saying he would not be able to implement the ceasefire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) unless he had "effective control" over the Defence Ministry. Ms. Kumaratunga, whose position was reinforced by a Supreme Court determination that the Defence of the island was "inalienable" from the President, said she would not be able to return the portfolio.

Ms. Kumaratunga had proposed to create a Peace Council — with responsibility shared between her and Mr. Wickremesinghe — to take forward the peace process. Another offer to give the Prime Minister defence-related powers to carry forward the peace process was also turned down by Mr. Wickremesinghe's cabinet spokesman as "inadequate." While differences persist, the committee of officials moved towards a consensus on other areas of governance.

In a separate statement, the Presidential Secretariat today said the Government's "insistence" on the Defence Ministry was "stalling" progress in the consensus talks. Recalling the developments since Ms. Kumaratunga's takeover of the Defence Ministry, the President's office said, "None of the proposals" made by the President had the "concurrence of the Prime Minister," who continued to "insist that the major subjects of Defence" be brought under his control, "which is both unconstitutional and illegal."

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