UNP expresses support for the PSC process

The General Secretary of the United National Party said that it will extend its full support to the parliamentary select committee proposed by the government to find a political solution to the ethnic issue.

Attanayake addressing a media conference in Colombo yesterday said that if the government showed its commitment to the process and creates a conducive environment his party will fully support it.  He said that  a group of parliamentarians from his party headed by opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe conducted talks on the PSC and other issues at the Temple Trees on an invitation extended by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He pointed out that the stance of the UNP is that a political solution based on safeguarding the country's identity is needed and the party is prepared to support the PSC process to achieve this objective.  He said that  it is essential for the two strongest parties in the country, the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and the UNP to come to a consensus on the national issue.

Attanayake also said that the UNP is ready to extend necessary support to seek the participation of Tamil political parties in the Parliamentary Select Committee.  He said that the UNP parliamentarians has pointed out to the President of the requirement to prepare a common agenda on the topics to be discussed at the PSC and the government needs to set dates for such discussions.

He also said that the Opposition Leader met Tamil National Alliance leader R. Sampanthan after their meeting with the President. (niz)