UNP rejects federal solution - Report

The United National Party (UNP), that has agreed for a federal solution with the Tamil Tigers, said it is no longer necessary to devolve the centralised power into regions as there are no longer ‘armed militants’.

In the Oslo statement agreed by the UNP-led government and the LTTE it was stated that “both parties have decided to explore a political solution founded on internal self-determination based on a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka”.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake told BBC Sandeshaya that the need of the hour is to ‘sort out day to day issues’ of the Tamil community in the north and east instead of a political solution for the national question.

He, however, said the UNP will not support any move to amend or abolish the 13 amendment that paved the way for the establishment of the Provincial Councils.

“The 13 amendment is a part of the Sri Lanka constitution. We will continue to support it. But the need of the hour is to provide Tamil people with build up their normal life,” he said.

The amendment, introduced by the government after the Indo -Lanka agreement in 1987, is yet to be fully implemented.

Speaking with the BBC in London, Mr. Attanayake added that there is no need for a political solution as the times have changed after the military defeat of the Tamil Tigers.