COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga has assured the Buddhist leadership in the island-nation that the proposed Post-Tsunami Operations Management Structure (P-TOMS) "does not threaten the nation's security or territorial integrity."

At a meeting with the Mahanayakas of three Buddhist chapters — Malwatte, Amarapura and Ramannya — on June 10, Ms. Kumaratunga "explained in detail" the proposed Tsunami Relief Council for the north and east and its status. "She told them no date has been fixed yet for the establishment of the Council, and implored them not to be mislead by media speculation and misinformation created for narrow political gains," the President's office said.

The President met the Mahanayakas against the backdrop of increased pressure from Sinhala-Buddhist leaders against the proposed P-TOMS, which aimed at sharing administrative powers with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam for post-tsunami reconstruction in the north and east, parts of which were with the LTTE. Responding to questions by the Mahanayakas, Ms. Kumaratunga said she was "completely devoted to preserving the rights of all citizens belonging to every ethnic and religious denomination." The President stressed that the Sinhala and Muslim communities, who lived in the north and east "have no cause whatsoever to fear" and assured the chief prelates that there would be more discussions with them on the subject of the Tsunami Relief Council. She had "at all times" consulted them on "all important national issues."

A day after Ms. Kumaratunga's meeting with the chief prelates, a Buddhist MP from the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), withdrew a protest fast on Saturday. However, another Buddhist monk organisation, the National Bikkhu Front, has started a protest fast demanding the withdrawal of the proposed P-TOMS, popularly known as the "joint mechanism."

As part of her ongoing consultations with key political parties, Ms. Kumaratunga on Sunday reiterated her commitment to the early establishment of the Tsunami Relief Council during a meeting with a six-member team of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). During the four-hour meeting, the TNA impressed upon the President the need for the early establishment of the post-tsunami mechanism. Ms. Kumaratunga explained to the TNA the various issues that had arisen in relation to the mechanism.

The discussions were also on other matters of mutual concern, including the standoff in Trincomalee, following the installation of a Buddha statue by a Sinhalese group. Ms. Kumaratunga assured the TNA that a Government delegation would visit the eastern town shortly. TNA Parliamentary leader R. Sampanthan led the Tamil delegation. The President is also likely to meet Leader of the Opposition and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

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