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Bureaucrats
should be bold, says Paski Back after eight years in self-exile, the soft-spoken bureaucrat who is keeping a low profile and living at the Galadari Hotel under a different name, said confidence among bureaucrats had to be improved. "The bureaucracy must be able to make decisions in an environment in which they should not fear the consequences for taking the right decisions. The bureaucracy has to become more confident about its role and it should not be frightened of unjust and unnecessary victimisation," Mr. Paskaralingam said in a rare interview last week. (See The Sunday Times Business for the full interview). He said the new regime was building a system that would ensure timely decision-making and one that did not depend on personal relationships. Citing legal advice, Mr. Paskaralingam declined to talk about the past, including the probe by the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry into malpractice in public bodies that found him guilty of 'misuse or abuse of power' and recommended that he be deprived of civic rights. That verdict was overturned by the Supreme Court on technical grounds. Mr. Paskaralingam said the Supreme Court decision meant he had been found not guilty. JVP
hits out at LTTE "We had discussed the matter with the main opposition party but it had backed out when it came to action. But things have changed and we expect the PA to join our protest," he said. The JVP reacted strongly against comments made by Anton Balasingham and LTTE Chief Prabhakaran at last Wednesday' media briefing. The Tiger leaders labelled the JVP as an anti-progressive and chauvinistic party. "The LTTE has not changed its aim for a separate state. It has become more shrewd and calls for an interim council. The LTTE describes the interim set up as the first step before a final settlement. We see this as a dangerous move to carve out a separate state. Unfortunately, when we sound alarm, we are branded as anti-peace," Mr. Silva said. The JVP leader warned that the current ceasefire was shaky as the LTTE had signalled that it would resort to the armed struggle if its demands were not met. Mr. Silva called on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to resign as the Tigers had clearly said they did not recognise him as their prime minister. "They said it was Prabhakaran who was both the President and the Prime Minister of Tamil Eelam. So we believe Ranil should resign," he said. Mixed
reactions to Prabha's remarks Political scientist Jayadeva Uyangoda said the LTTE used the opportunity to state its pre-negotiation position which focussed on four main areas. They are: the de proscription of the LTTE before any talks; the Bangkok talks should focus only on the issue of interim government; the short term plan of the LTTE on negotiation does not include the solution of the ethnic conflict, The LTTE wanted to normalize relations with India' Dr. Uyangoda said that the LTTE would be using the Thimpu principles of 1985 as its basis for negotiations. The principles are the recognition of the Tamils of Sri Lanka as a nation, recognition of the existence of an identified homeland for Tamils in Sri Lanka and recognition of the right of self-determination. Dayan Jayatilleka a political commentator referring to Anton Balasingham's words, "Here in Thamil Eelam, The president and The Prime Minister is Mr. Prabhakaran," said that those were historic words uttered at the news briefing. He said he believed the news conference brought to light several points which revealed that the Thamil Eelam slogan had not been abandoned or put on the back burner, Sri Lanka and Thamil Eelam were two entities and that Thamil Eelam was not an autonomous region or unit. Meanwhile The National Peace Council expressed optimism and viewed the news conference as a dialogue between the LTTE and the outside world. The organisation felt it was a positive step towards the LTTE transforming itself from a military organisation to a political one. The organisation said the LTTE leadership delivered an important message to the country that it was necessary to deal with legitimate Tamil grievances and aspirations in a principle manner. Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne representing the New Left Front said it was clear that Prabhakaran had changed his tactics and that he was moving from guerilla tactics to mass movement. Dr. Bellanwilla Wimalarathana Thero the chief prelate of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya expressed concern that the LTTE had not dropped its demand for Eelam. He also pointed out that Anton Balasingham only apologized to the Muslims who were displaced from the North and not the Sinhalese. He also hit out at Mr. Balasingham's remark that they only recognised Velupillai Prabhakaran as their Prime Minister and President.
"We are
encouraged by the LTTE's willingness to work within a political
process and to renounce violence. We have long believed that violence
cannot achieve the Tigers' stated objectives, and urge Mr. Prabhakaran
to abandon its use unequivocally. "A political solution to the conflict which maintains Sri Lanka's territorial integrity would be welcomed by the international community, and we urge all parties to continue to work toward that goal. "If Sri Lankans on both sides continue to approach talks constructively and show a willingness to compromise, we believe peace can return. The United States fully supports the Norwegian government's efforts to facilitate a settlement," the statement said.
He said the government was taking a tough stand and action including legal proceedings would be taken even against Ministry secretaries and other officials who released the vehicles. Prabha's
comments 'positive and refreshing', says GL He welcomed as what he saw as the LTTE's public acceptance of the principle of power sharing within one country. He said Mr. Prabhakaran's definition of self determination within a united country was also significant. Meanwhile Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen, leading the Oslo peace team, was due in the country over the weekend for talks with government and LTTE leaders. The New year talks are expected to lead to a decision on the dates for the government -LTTE talks in Thailand. LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran told a news conference in Kilinochchi that the Thailand talks would focus on the setting up of an interim administration for the North-East. The LTTE leader insisted that the ban on the group must be lifted before the Thailand talks begin. Cabinet spokesman G.L. Peiris told a news conference on Thursday no final decision had been taken regarding the ban and a statement reportedly made by Minister T. Maheswaran was not the official position. CBK
to lose her ace In effect this means that if the amendments are passed by a two thirds majority, President Chandrika Kumaratunga would be stripped of what political observers see as her trump card- the power to arbitrarily dissolve Parliament after December 5. Cabinet spokesman G.L. Peiris told a news conference that when a government was elected by the people for a term of six years, it should have the full authority to act during the term of office. But he assured there would be no effort to go beyond the six year term.
The President said the present peace initiative made this New Year more significant than ever before. "Though various festivals are held from time to time, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year has been the foremost national festival through many centuries. "This festival prominently demonstrates that the Sinhala and Tamil people are bound by deep cultural ties," she said. The President said she hoped the peace process would guarantee the freedom, democratic rights and human rights of the people.
He said he hoped
the trend would continue this year and that revellers would remember
that items like sky rocketts should be directed only towards the
sky. Muslims
in show of unity He said the Muslims also wanted to show their unity and the festival should not be seen as a challenge to anyone." It's time for the Muslims to stand up and be counted," he said. SLMC politburo member Nizam Kariyapper said Muslims too had the right to self determination. Kamil
quits with pat on the back Mr. Kamil is likely to be appointed to a diplomatic post or as an advisor to the Prime Minister. Mr. Kamil stepped down after the UNP hierarchy decided to appoint Prasanna Gunawardhene, son of Philip Gunawardhene as its Mayoral candidate for the May 20 Municipal elections. PSD
Chief to be indicted President Kumaratunga's chief bodyguard, now under remand in the national hospital is to face charges relating to the Mathurata case where he allegedly threatened the HQI. Mahinda
Sam's guards absconding According to a complaint made by the couple, the minister was on his way to his office in Narahenpita on Tuesday night when their vehicle had come onto the Minister's car. While the Minister continued his journey, his security personnel had got out of their vehicle and assaulted the couple and even threatened them with death. It is learnt
the passengers are related to another top ranking Cabinet Minister. |
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