SLFP-UNP reach historic deal

The SLFP-UNP talks ended on a positive note yesterday with both parties reaching a consensus on a six point programme to resolve national issues and the formation of a joint executive committee system.After completion of the final round of talks which lasted for just 10 minutes, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, who led the SLFP delegation said a new chapter had been created in the country’s political history. Mr. Wickremanayake said the two parties would shortly sign an MOU to implement this six-point programme.“Both parties cooperated in bringing this exercise to a fruitful conclusion and the next step is to sign the MOU to implement the agreed-upon programme”, he said.The Prime Minister said they agreed to collaborate on this six-point programme both in and outside Parliament.

UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya who led the UNP delegation said this was a historic achievement, which was to turn around from confrontational politics that existed in this country for the last 58 years since independence, thus creating a new political culture aspired to by the people. He said the Mahanayake Theras of the four chapters, the Archbishop and the Hindu and Muslim religious dignitaries would bear witness to the proposed MOU to be signed, probably before October 15.The members of the two parties were seen engaged in friendly chats while congratulating each other, soon after the talks were concluded.Ministers W.D.J. Seneviratne, Maithripala Sirisena, and Nimal Siripala de Silva were the others in the SLFP delegation. The others in the UNP delegation were Ravi Karunanayake, Milinda Moragoda, Rukman Senanayake, G.L. Peiris, John Amarathunga and former party Chairman Malik Samarawickrema.

UNP spokesman G.L Peiris said yesterday the party would play a role in the Government's executive system under the common national agenda which would be implemented together with the SLFP. He told journalists an executive committee system would be set up under the joint mechanism which had been agreed upon by the two parties. Under this executive committee system Prof. Peiris said the UNP would be able to participate in the executive system. He said it was not possible for a single political party to solve certain problems faced by the nation and therefore a joint system was necessary for all parties to work together. He said any political party which approved the proposals in the common agenda were welcome to join the UNP and SLFP.Both parties have also agreed to change the electoral system. Prof. Peiris said the PR system which has caused problems among parties and within parties wiould be done away with and replaced with an appropriate system.

The proposed common national agenda would be presented to the UNP working committee next week for approval after which both parties would sign an agreement."We will not allow the grass to grow under our feet but see that the national agenda will be implemented", he said. According to Prof. Peiris the MOU will be signed before October 15. UNP Deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya said the party would work in the executive committee system while being in the opposition. "This will be done based on party policies," he said. He said the UNP would not hesitate to criticize any undemocratic action that might be taken by the Government. Asked how it will be possible Mr. Jayasuriya said it could be done as it was exactly what the JVP was doing. Mr. Jayasuriya said yesterday was a historic day for the nation as the two main political parties were able to agree on a common national agenda.