rapa
12-14-2006, 05:53 PM
Charging that there was a conspiracy by the APRC Experts Panel to bring in federalism in a fraudulent manner, the JHU yesterday called on the government to resolve the crisis at the all party conference (APC) before next Monday.
It also indicated the possibility of removing All Party Representative Committee Chairman Tissa Vitharana if it was proven that he had betrayed the APRC.
JHU Leader Ven Ellawala Medanada Thera told a news conference the Experts Panel had brought in several proposals which might result in a major conflict. The Ven Thera said the panel had proposed to set up regions based on ethnic and religious concentration of the population. In this context he said there would be separate Muslim regions in the East, Tamil regions in the North, a Tamil region in the Hill Country and a Catholic region in Negombo. He said the panel had also proposed to establish Two Vice Presidents from two main minority communities.
He opposed the proposal to remove Buddhism as the state religion. "This is something unacceptable as Buddhism was the state religion even during the British period," the Thera said.The Ven. Thera said there was no need to devolve power among the minorities as the country's system allows any minority member to hold any top post in the government.
He said President Mahinda Rajapaksa must be answerable to the people on this matter. "We are capable of defeating any force which sets about to divide this nation," the Thera said.
JHU's Champika Ranawaka said the Expert Pannel has ignored 700 proposals submitted by the general public and accepted only a proposal submitted by an NGO which is interested in dividing the country.
He charged that the three government representatives in the Experts panel had also betrayed the people. " They should have abstained from signing it,," Mr. Ranawaka pointed out.
JHU Parliamentry Group leader Ven Athureliye Ratana Thera who focused on the current hostilities in the East said over 30 civilians have been injured as a result of continuous artillery fire by the LTTE. He said it is sad that the SLMM and the NGOs are keeping mum on these attacks which had left over 3000 people displaced.
It also indicated the possibility of removing All Party Representative Committee Chairman Tissa Vitharana if it was proven that he had betrayed the APRC.
JHU Leader Ven Ellawala Medanada Thera told a news conference the Experts Panel had brought in several proposals which might result in a major conflict. The Ven Thera said the panel had proposed to set up regions based on ethnic and religious concentration of the population. In this context he said there would be separate Muslim regions in the East, Tamil regions in the North, a Tamil region in the Hill Country and a Catholic region in Negombo. He said the panel had also proposed to establish Two Vice Presidents from two main minority communities.
He opposed the proposal to remove Buddhism as the state religion. "This is something unacceptable as Buddhism was the state religion even during the British period," the Thera said.The Ven. Thera said there was no need to devolve power among the minorities as the country's system allows any minority member to hold any top post in the government.
He said President Mahinda Rajapaksa must be answerable to the people on this matter. "We are capable of defeating any force which sets about to divide this nation," the Thera said.
JHU's Champika Ranawaka said the Expert Pannel has ignored 700 proposals submitted by the general public and accepted only a proposal submitted by an NGO which is interested in dividing the country.
He charged that the three government representatives in the Experts panel had also betrayed the people. " They should have abstained from signing it,," Mr. Ranawaka pointed out.
JHU Parliamentry Group leader Ven Athureliye Ratana Thera who focused on the current hostilities in the East said over 30 civilians have been injured as a result of continuous artillery fire by the LTTE. He said it is sad that the SLMM and the NGOs are keeping mum on these attacks which had left over 3000 people displaced.