Lanka peace talks suffers set back as UNP pulls out

Lanka peace talks suffers set back as UNP pulls out
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

COLOMBO, FEBRUARY 21: The Norwegian initiative to broker peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE suffered a set back on Monday with the Opposition United National Party (UNP) withdrawing from the meeting with President Chandrika Kumarantunga to discuss draft proposals for new Constitution.

Announcing his party's reservations in taking part in Tuesday's meeting, UNP leader Ranil Wicramasinghe wrote to the President saying that UNP would not take part in meeting as it needed time to study the changes proposed by the government to the draft proposals.

Releasing the letter at a press conference, Wicramasinghe said his party had earlier extended support to 1997 constitutional reform proposals, which advocated abolition of the presidency and granting of autonomy to provinces.But on February 18, he received a letter from Chandrika suggesting several amendments to the government's proposals which included retaining the presidency for six years as a transitionary provision.

"These are newproposals and we need time to study them," he said, denying that his latest move was aimed at scuttling the peace process.

During Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Volleback's visit to the island last week, the government had said it proposed to finalise its proposals with its allies and UNP first before submitting them for consideration to the LTTE.Her proposals would have little relevance if the main Opposition UNP refused to help secure the government a two third majority in Parliament.

Replying to a question, Wickremesinghe said he was not privy to the talks between the Norwegian foreign minister and the President on the proposed negotiations between the government and the LTTE to find a solution to the ethnic problem. Though the Norwegian minister had met him, the modalities of negotiation were not discussed with him, he said.

``The UNP has no role to play in the peace talks being initiated by Norway between the government and the LTTE,'' he said.