Liam Fox Agreement

"I believe that we both recognize that the resolution of the ethnic conflict will restore peace in Sri Lanka and lead to the development, progress and prosperity of the country and its people. It is an issue transcending partisan politics. The development of a genuinely bi-partisan approach to the resolution of the ethnic conflict is vital to the achievement of a permanent solution to the conflict.

Consequently, I would like to suggest the following arrangements between the People's Alliance and the United National Party which I intend to put to the appropriate decision-making body of my party for ratification.

The incumbent Head of Government will brief and seek the opinion of the Leader of the United National Party on significant developments relating to the ethnic conflict, both in the strictest confidence; if in Government, the Leader of the United National Party will reciprocate; the party in opposition will not undermine any discussions or decisions between the party in Government and any other party, group or person, including the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, aimed at resolving the ethnic conflict, if these discussions and decisions have taken place with the concurrence of the party in opposition; against the background of such concurrence, on election to Government either party will honor all such decisions in full."

Signed

Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga

Ranil Wickramasinghe

April 04, 1997

Chandrika's 'Devolution Proposals'