President on need for sustainable solution on Indian fishermen issue
February 22, 2011 01:47 pm
President Mahinda Rajapaksa stressed the need for the Joint Working Group, which has been assigned the task of resolving the present India-Lanka fishermen crisis, to come up with a sustainable solution as soon as possible.
The Working Group, comprising of senior officials from Ministries such as Fisheries and Defence, had last met in 2006, he mentioned.
Speaking to News Editors and Directors of media institutions today (February 22) at Temple Trees the President answered questions on several topics including the issue of dual citizenships presently not being issued.
A subcommittee of Ministers has been appointed in order to tackle the subject, the President revealed and added that the recommendation of the Ministers will be considered and a final decision made.
When queried on the mishandling of flood relief and the ineffectiveness of certain government officials in handling flood aid and the disaster situation in general, Mahinda Rajapaksa requested that any such complaints be presented if exists.
However, he pointed out that a majority of officials and defence personnel have worked for the betterment of the flood victims and have gone beyond the call of duty.
‘Request to the opposition’
Sri Lanka’s opposition is more active internationally than within the country, the President said and voiced his concern over the possibility that the opposition may be disgracing the country,
He requested all opposition parties to not harm the reputation of the country and to stop all such acts.
On the accusations by the opposition that the government is preventing parties from staging protests or demonstrations by attacking them “anyone can stage a demonstration freely” Rajapaksa had replied.
I have advised the police to allow demonstrations and protests and not to hinder them, he claimed.
During today’s meeting with the media the President also addressed the topic of the prevailing discussions with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).
Two discussions have already been held with the TNA and the next round of talks will take place on March 01, he disclosed.
According to President Mahinda Rajapaksa the main topics of the discussions have been economic issues and future plans for the rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons.
The Working Group, comprising of senior officials from Ministries such as Fisheries and Defence, had last met in 2006, he mentioned.
Speaking to News Editors and Directors of media institutions today (February 22) at Temple Trees the President answered questions on several topics including the issue of dual citizenships presently not being issued.
A subcommittee of Ministers has been appointed in order to tackle the subject, the President revealed and added that the recommendation of the Ministers will be considered and a final decision made.
When queried on the mishandling of flood relief and the ineffectiveness of certain government officials in handling flood aid and the disaster situation in general, Mahinda Rajapaksa requested that any such complaints be presented if exists.
However, he pointed out that a majority of officials and defence personnel have worked for the betterment of the flood victims and have gone beyond the call of duty.
‘Request to the opposition’
Sri Lanka’s opposition is more active internationally than within the country, the President said and voiced his concern over the possibility that the opposition may be disgracing the country,
He requested all opposition parties to not harm the reputation of the country and to stop all such acts.
On the accusations by the opposition that the government is preventing parties from staging protests or demonstrations by attacking them “anyone can stage a demonstration freely” Rajapaksa had replied.
I have advised the police to allow demonstrations and protests and not to hinder them, he claimed.
During today’s meeting with the media the President also addressed the topic of the prevailing discussions with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).
Two discussions have already been held with the TNA and the next round of talks will take place on March 01, he disclosed.
According to President Mahinda Rajapaksa the main topics of the discussions have been economic issues and future plans for the rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons.
