COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan All-Party Conference (APC) on Friday agreed to appoint a committee to "draw a framework for a political solution" to end the separatist conflict.

President Mahinda Rajapakse's ally, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said negotiations would be held with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) only after it decommissioned weapons, a senior Presidential source told The Hindu .

Another ruling ally, the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) wanted the President to appeal to child combatants to lay down arms and join the mainstream, with assurances of continuity in education and provision of job opportunities. MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardene urged the President to "exhort all children who had become LTTE's cannon fodder to lay down arms and to promise them proper education, protection and an opportunity to be good citizens."

At the meeting, Mr. Rajapakse also emphasised the need to put forward "a viable solution" as a solution could no longer be postponed, particularly after the EU had listed the LTTE as a terrorist organisation.

"Peace cannot be achieved by a single party. So, it is the obligation of all to work together for a final solution," the President said.

The All Party Conference is a mechanism instituted by Mr. Rajapakse as a central component of the attempt to end the decades-long separatist conflict. Friday's conference was the fifth since Mr. Rajaapkse was elected President last November.

"The conference resolved to work out a political solution. Once that is done, it will be placed before the LTTE and the people as a viable solution," the Presidential source added. An advisory board, comprising legal, political and constitutional experts, would also be appointed "to assist and work concurrently with the APC."

The E.U. listing the LTTE as a terrorist organisation had opened up "a window of opportunity" to achieve a lasting solution for the ethnic conflict, Mr. Rajapakse said. The "envisaged solution should, as far as possible, be a home-grown one that suits the needs of the country." Calling upon all parties to accord the "highest priority" to solve the conflict, he emphasised that the conflict "cannot be passed on to the next generation."

Representatives who participated in the APC emphasised the need for a negotiated settlement and thanked the U.S., Great Britain, India and European countries for proscribing the LTTE, a Government statement said. "They also thanked the President, the Foreign Minister, all Government representatives and late Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar for the role they played in connection with the LTTE's proscription."

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