 UNP and SLFP(M) tie up, vow
to ‘eradicate terrorism’, 19 July 2007
[TamilNet]
Announcing a tie-up Thursday, Sri Lanka’s main opposition United
National Party (UNP) and the SLFP-M, a splinter of the ruling Sri
Lanka Freedom Party promised to solve the island’s protracted ethnic
conflict “within 9 months” of coming to power. The UNP and SLFP-M
also vowed “a major offensive will be launched with the support of
all people who honour peace and with the support of the
international community to eradicate terrorism and separatism from
Sri Lanka if any party refuses to accept the solution that safe
guards the integrity of all, enforced on a majority decision of the
public.”
The agreement between the UNP and the SLFP-M (Mahajana Wing of
the SLFP) was signed by the two party leaders, Mr. Ranil
Wickramasinghe and Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, who also agreed to hold
the office of Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister respectively
in the event their electoral alliance – to be named the “National
Congress” - to come to power.
Out of a lengthy agreement published Thursday,
coinciding with the government’s celebration of the armed forces
capture of Thoppigala, only two paragraphs referred to finding a
solution to the ethnic conflict.
The two parties agreed “to find a solution within 09 months to the
ethnic conflict that has been dragged for decades with All Party
Conferences, Commissions and Committees by accelerating the process
of finding a solution that accepts wide sharing of power within an
undivided country in which every citizen, whether Sinhala, Tamil,
Muslim Burgher, Malay or any other Minority would be equally
accepted and treated and will enjoy equal fundamental and democratic
rights.
“The basic objective of this exercise will be to unite Sri Lanka and
a solution based on power sharing that could be agreed upon by all
sections of the society be submitted for public approval at a
national Referendum.”
In an implicit criticism of the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement which the
UNP itself, then in government, signed with the LTTE, the UNP-SLFP-M
agreement stated: “Both parties agree to strictly forbid any
opportunity to provide training, procure arms, assassinate
intelligence, military or Police officers and to engage in any other
terrorist activities.”
The second paragraph on ethnic conflict states:
“A major offensive will be launched with the support of all
people who honour peace and with the support of the international
community to eradicate terrorism and separatism from Sri Lanka if
any party refuses to accept the solution that safe guards the
integrity of all, enforced on a majority decision of the public. It
is envisaged to launch such an offensive by providing the three
forces with necessary modern arms and equipment. They will be
according to accepted international norms and war regulations while
agreeing to refrain from carrying them out on mere political
agendas.”
The two parties are “to form a broad front with all democratic
political parties and people's organisations who agree with the
[our] policies.”
The parties agreed to contest elections with all political parties
who agree to contest with them as a “broad front” which will be
called the "National Congress."
Full text of the agreement by UNP and SLFP-M follows:
As Sri Lanka has never before in its history experienced such a
grave catastrophe that compels steps to be taken with utmost
urgency to safe guard democracy and human rights, to eradicate
fraud and corruption, to establish good governance, to seek
redress to public grievances including the high cost of living,
to find an early solution to the ethnic conflict and to develop
Sri Lanka without delay,
As it is necessary to forge a broad political front based on
clear principles along with an implementing plan while also
maintaining the policies and objectives of respective political
parties to achieve the above,
As the party leadership and his brothers have taken control of
the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, having ousted those who strived to
work towards establishing good governance in the country and
internal democracy in the party by removing Members of
Parliament Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathy Sooriyarachchi who
worked within the party to maintain its middle path principles
whilst trying to safeguard the party constitution and the "Rata
Perata" (Take the Country Forward) policies, from their Cabinet
portfolios,
Agreement is reached herewith as necessary to forge a broad
front consisting of individuals, political groups and political
parties based on firm and clear principles with a time frame for
implementation that would go beyond those Alliances and United
Fronts which were established in Sri Lanka's past history for
the sole purpose of coming to power.
This agreement is reached between the United National Party, a
duly registered political party in Sri Lanka and the Mahajana
Wing (M) of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party that truly claims
allegiance to the constitution and the policies of the Sri Lanka
Freedom Party, a duly registered political party in Sri Lanka,
on the 19 th day of July, in the year 2007.
Both parties to the agreement hereby agree to effect broad based
constitutional reforms that include the following basic
aspirations through a Constitutional Council within 03 months
from an election that provides a people's mandate to establish a
new Constitution.
1.1) Further strengthening of Fundamental Rights. Priority will
be given at all times in all activities to treat Sinhala, Tamil,
Muslim, Burgher and other minorities without any bias and with
equality
1.2 ) Introduction of a Presidency elected by popular vote that
would have the present executive powers limited and then held
responsible to the parliament and to the judiciary.
Strengthening of powers and responsibilities of the Prime
Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers. The new Constitution to
provide for two (02) Vice Presidencies to be elected from among
the cabinet of ministers in consensus with the President.
1.3) It is agreed there would be a maximum of thirty two (32)
ministers sworn in to the cabinet and no other ministers except
the Deputy Ministers will be appointed. At no time will the
total of 32 Ministers and the Deputy Ministers together exceed
1/3 rd of the total number of Members in Parliament. The
Constitution to define subjects and responsibilities of
Ministries to the best possible extent. While working under the
Minister, the Deputy Ministers to have their subjects and
responsibilities also defined. Gender representation in the
cabinet of ministers would be maximized. Provisions to be made
to include a maximum of three (03) persons who are not Members
of Parliament but with exceptional specialization, to the
cabinet of ministers. These three Ministers can be excluded from
the parliamentary majority.
1.4) Introduction of an electoral system that would ensure a
majority that would allow for a comfortable government while
also allowing representation for minority ethnicities and small
political parties. It is also the basic objective of these
reforms to provide for a member to be elected from popular vote
for all electorates that would be demarcated after delimitation
of electorates for the new electoral system.
1.5) All effort would be taken to introduce the system of
by-elections and strict laws would be introduced to bar Members
from crossing over from the political party from which he/she is
elected from at an election, to another political party.
1.6) Steps will be taken to introduce criteria for nomination of
Members from the National list and strict regulations will be
introduced to stop nomination of criminals, underworld leaders,
relatives or those who were unseated from Membership to
parliament by a court of law, as Members of parliament from the
National list.
1.7) A permanent Select Committee comprising of all political
parties representing parliament will be established to monitor
the implementation of election promises and policies, while also
introducing laws that make handing over of election manifestos
to the Election Commissioner mandatory.
1.8) Steps will be taken to make the judicial process a simple,
more efficient, less expensive and time conserving process with
a high degree of credibility and to provide for more
independence in the judiciary including the Supreme Court that
has hitherto acted with considerable independence when under
undue pressures and presently to hold Sri Lanka from being
turned into a dictatorial regime. The Attorney General's
Department that has turned into a political tool will be
reformed into an independent institute.
1.9) The Police Department will be de-politicised and turned
into a strong and credible organization to establish law and
order in society that is presently burdened with insecurity,
fear and terror. A very concerted, major effort will be made to
eradicate drugs and illegal use of fire arms within six (06)
months from forming a government. Immediate steps will be taken
to investigate all abductions, involuntary disappearances, extra
judicial killings and extortions and bring the offenders in
front of the law. Also those Police Officers who have taken the
law unto their hands for political reasons will be severely
dealt with according to law.
1.10 ) Laws and regulations necessary to curb corruption, fraud
and bribery will be provided for in the Constitution and
existing law will be strengthened. In this respect, the report
submitted by the UNDP will be positively amended for
implementation. A Code of Ethics will be introduced for Elected
Representatives and Public Servants and will have clear
demarcations on agreements that could be entered into with the
State and agreements that can not be entered into with the
State.
1.11) It is agreed that tenders will be called for all state
work and for large projects while no procurements, constructions
or other projects would be entertained on single proposals when
no government is involved.
1.12) Immediate and special measures will be taken to bring
those who were involved in the Telecom deal, corrupt procurement
of arms and ammunition at a very high cost, acquiring of Mig 27
and Mig 29 aircrafts for very high prices, Licenses issued by
the Telecom Regulatory Commission, Licenses issued for Radio and
Television stations, Mihin Air Company, Lanka Logistics and
Technologies Company, enforcing heavy taxes on flour imports
while providing full tax concessions for Wheat imports and
enforcing a high price for bread to collect millions of rupees
as commissions monthly, Hingurana Sugar Factory, transfer of
valuable state land to relations and friends through illegal
means and at heavily under valued prices, issuing of permits for
refining of petroleum products on massive commissions, frauds in
importing of fertilizers, corruptions and frauds mentioned in
the COPE report and other major frauds and corruptions in front
of the law, effect judicial procedures and punish the offenders.
02. Finding early solutions to the Ethnic conflict
2.1) Agrees to find a solution within 09 months to the ethnic
conflict that has been dragged for decades with All Party
Conferences, Commissions and Committees by accelerating the
process of finding a solution that accepts wide sharing of power
within an undivided country in which every citizen, whether
Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim Burgher, Malay or any other Minority
would be equally accepted and treated and will enjoy equal
fundamental and democratic rights. The basic objective of this
exercise will be to unite Sri Lanka and a solution based on
power sharing that could be agreed upon by all sections of the
society be submitted for public approval at a national
Referendum. Both parties agree to strictly forbid any
opportunity to provide training, procure arms, assassinate
intelligence, military or Police officers and to engage in any
other terrorist activities.
2.2) A major offensive will be launched with the support of all
people who honour peace and with the support of the
international community to eradicate terrorism and separatism
from Sri Lanka if any party refuses to accept the solution that
safe guards the integrity of all, enforced on a majority
decision of the public. It is envisaged to launch such an
offensive by providing the three forces with necessary modern
arms and equipment. They will be according to accepted
international norms and war regulations while agreeing to
refrain from carrying them out on mere political agendas.
03. For economic development
3.1) Both parties agree to appoint a main Committee and sub –
Committees to draft a long term national economic plan. Special
emphasis will be given to the following, within this national
economic plan.
3.1.1) An accelerated programme to improve productivity and
production in all sectors of the economy.
3.1.2) Special attention to be given to the energy sector with
emphasis on development of alternative sources of energy
3.1.3) Special concessions to be given to promote local
investors and to provide investing opportunities to all
citizens, while also finding efficient and simple methods in
promoting foreign investors. Reforming laws and regulations that
hinder private sector enterprises which contribute to the GNP in
a major way.
3.1.4) A well formulated plan to be drafted for agriculture,
fisheries, plantations, industries, small and medium
enterprises, construction, gems and minerals, jewellery,
forestry and Mahaweli to guide them in accelerated development
3.1.5) Allocate internationally accepted percentages on social
justice from the GNP for education, health, vocational training,
social services and Samurdhi and utilize those funds on a well
designed programme. In this respect special emphasis will be
given to children, youth and women. Post G.C.E O/L or A/L youth
will be inducted for voluntary work in nation development. Also
training programmes with international acceptance for pre-school
teaching, beauty culture, nursing and the like will be
introduced to promote foreign employment instead of as house
maids. A programme to teach English to all children in the
country will also be launched.
3.1.6) Port, Fisheries harbours, urban housing, high ways,
transport, irrigation, post and telecommunications to be
developed on a long term basis taking into consideration the
population and world economic growth
3.1.7) A Steering Committee to be given the responsibility to
recapture tourism and related services that we have by now lost
3.1.8) Implement wide ranging reforms that would qualitatively
improve productivity of both public and private sector
employees. The main focus of this will be to fill all existing
vacancies in the public sector, shift excess employees into
productive positions and to achieve employee satisfaction
through workers' welfare schemes.
3.1.9) Immediate steps to be taken to introduce a simple tax
scheme that is not tax heavy and to reduce Bank interests to a
single digit.
3.1.10) In designing the economic plan safe guarding and
developing local art, national heritage and bio-diversity will
be a prime need. Environmental conservation will be given
special consideration in economic development
3.1.11) The essence of this economic policy is to launch an
accelerated development programme in Sri Lanka by effectively
incorporating past and present achievements and traditions of
our motherland, of our Asian region and the world that would
provide for equal distribution of development dividends among
all citizens of Sri Lanka
3.2) Agrees to provide Sri Lankan citizens employed in
internationally recognized foreign institutes as Medical
Doctors, Engineers, Scientists, IT Specialists and Financial
Experts with honourary citizenship and special allowances to
harness their expertise for speedy development of Sri Lanka
3.3) A speedy programme to be designed to launch a state fund to
provide higher or further educational opportunities in well
reputed foreign universities like the Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard
and Yale to students who do exemplary well at G.C.E A/L exams at
district level and at final graduation exams.
3.4) Access international expertise or skills to reform and
rehabilitate state institutes considered economically extremely
important as productive and efficient organizations, instead of
privatizing them
3.5) Steps will be effectively taken to stabilise the rupee
value and consolidate prices in order to curb the rising cost of
living. A committee on cost of living will meet weekly to
maintain a cost of living that would be bearable
3.6) Foreign relations that has hitherto been affected will be
duly rehabilitated and a foreign policy that would uphold Sri
Lanka's self respect and identity will be adopted, while
developing extremely friendly and mutually respectful
relationships with India and other SAARC region countries,
China, Japan, EU member nations, USA and all other countries.
At least a minimum of two thirds (2/3) of all positions in the
foreign service will be invariably filled by career diplomats.
The Permanent Parliamentary Committee Monitoring Election
Manifesto and Promises will obtain reports to over see the
status of these appointments monthly
3.7 A definite programme will be implemented to guarantee media
freedom and to stop all forms of media harassments that aim at
covering fraud and corruption using the war as a cover. Provide
Constitutional safety to deny future attempts at enabling the
Criminal Defamation law.
3.8 Although Non governmental Organisations are being subjected
to numerous allegations, they contribute positively in social
services and environmental conservation sectors. Both parties
agree to develop a programme that would improve social
contributions by non governmental organizations and allow them
to independently function while contributing to the efforts of
the government.
3.9) Although a parliamentary select committee has been
requested and a complaint lodged with the Terrorism
Investigation Unit against Rs. 20 million given to the LTTE in
order to block votes at the 2005 Presidential elections to
ensure election victory and there after on billions of rupees
given through numerous methods, no action have been taken to
date and therefore a wide ranging inquiry will be conducted to
identify and punish the traitors and culprits who are
responsible for the deaths of security personnel that is the
result of purchase of arms, ammunition and explosives by the
terrorists from these monies.
04.) The United National Party and the Mahajana Paarshawaya
(People's Faction) of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party as primary
partners in achieving the above, agree to form a broad front
with all democratic political parties and people's organisations
who agree with the above policies
05.) Both parties agree to work tirelessly in bringing all other
democratic political parties and organisations into this
National Congress, who either agree to the above policies or who
contribute positively in developing the above policies, as we
have arrived at the last hour in saving Sri Lanka
06.) At any time when an election is held in the future, the
United National Party and the Mahajana Paarshawaya (People's
Faction) of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party while agreeing both
parties have a right to work independently with their own
identities, also agree to work as follows.
6.1) To contest elections with all political parties who agree
to contest as a broad front
6.2) That front will be called the "National Congress"
6.3) If necessary in any time in the future, the United National
Party and the Mahajana Paarshawaya (People's Faction) of the Sri
Lanka Freedom Party will nominate two (02) persons as Joint
Secretaries of the National Congress. At any time Ranil
Wickramasinghe holds the office of Prime Minister or the
President, the Secretary to be notified to the Elections
Commissioner will be nominated by the Mahajana Paarshawaya
(People's Faction) of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and at all
other times, the Secretary to be notified to the Elections
Commissioner will be nominated by the United National Party.
6.4) The Treasurer of the National Congress will be from any
other political party in the National Congress.
6.5) At all elections the Mahajana Paarshawaya (People's
Faction) of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party has the right to
nominate candidates to districts as agreed. Also the Mahajana
Paarshawaya (People's Faction) of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party
will be entitled to nominate candidates to Local Government
bodies as it suits them
6.6) Election campaigns will be managed by the President of the
United National Party Mr. Rukman Senanayake and by the Chief
Co-ordinator of the Mahajana Paarshawaya (People's Faction) of
the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Mr. Sripathy Sooriyarachchi.
6.7) At all elections, the final nomination board will be
constituted by Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe and Mr. Mangala
Samaraweera
6.8) Both parties further agree to conduct themselves as follows
after conclusion of parliamentary elections.
6.8.1) Both parties agree that Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe will
hold the office of Prime Minister while Mr. Mangala Samaraweera
will hold the office of Deputy Prime Minister and in accordance
with the additional agreement entered into this day, agree to
share the total 32 Cabinet portfolios, the Deputy ministerial
posts and the subjects while also agreeing to discuss same with
other political parties in the future. Also the number of
National List Members the National Congress would have and other
additional issues will be decided among the two parties and the
other political parties according to the conditions agreed in
the additional agreement.
6.8.2) It is agreed that a Ministry for Samurdhi and Social
Justice will be established and to eliminate what ever
deficiencies the Samurdhi Movement may have in order strengthen
it and help alleviate poverty.
6.8.3) It is agreed to strengthen Local Development Committees
with a broad development programme that brings together all
government Members of Parliament in accelerating rural
development within the above mentioned economic development.
Special allocations of monies will be made for such programmes
and it is agreed to implement all rural development programmes
through these Local Development Committees. Ministers and Deputy
Ministers will only be allowed to hold the Chairmanship of the
Local Development Committee of his or her electorate. Other
government members of Parliament will hold Chairmanships of
Development Committees of other electorates / Divisional
Secretariat areas, apart from the Chairmanship in his or her own
electorate.
6.8.4) In coming to agreements with other political parties,
both parties agree to consent to such agreements. And both
parties agree to be flexible in such arrangements.
Both parties agree to fully abide by this agreement and by the
additional agreement from the 19 th day
of July, 2007 and accordingly place signatures to this agreement
at the Parliamentary complex of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
Ranil Wickramasinghe
Leader
United National Leader
Mangala Samaraweera
Convenor
Mahajana Wing (M) of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party that truly
claim the right to the SLFP Party
Witnesses :
01. Rukman Senanayake
President of United National Party
02. Sripathy Sooriyarachchi
Chief Co-ordinator of Mahajana Wing (M) of the Sri Lanka Freedom
Party
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