11-12-2003, 03:50 PM
[b]<span style='font-size:30pt;line-height:100%'>LANKA-LD FAILURE </span>
Chandrika-Ranil talks end in deadlock
COLOMBO, NOV 12 (PTI)
Talks between Sri Lanka's warring President and Prime Minister ended in a deadlock with no sign of ending the island's unprecedented political crisis, official sources said today.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met behind closed-doors for about two hours but neither side showed signs of compromise, the sources said.
The meeting started slightly behind schedule as Kumaratunga turned up late at her own President's House official residence, officials said. A source close to the prime minister said he did not press for the re-instatement of the three ministers sacked summarily by Kumaratunga, but wanted her to take over the running of the Norwegian-backed peace process.
Wickremesinghe argued that he cannot handle the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels unless he was in full control over the government, including the defence, interior and information portfolios taken by Kumaratunga.
Kumaratunga, on the other hand made no commitments, but expressed her serious concerns about the security situation in the country in the light of her allegations that the government jeopardised national security.
Both, however, agreed to issue a joint statement later saying they met and planned to have another round of talks next week inviting leaders of minority parties supporting Wickremesinghe's government. However, today's meeting had raised expectations of a compromise to the conflict which had sent markets tumbling and dented investor confidence.
Political sources said the president's party in the meantime was trying to cut a political deal with the Marxist JVP, or People's Liberation Front to contest a possible snap poll.
Kumaratunga could use her executive power to sack parliament anytime now to call an election four years ahead of schedule.
Analysts believe that elelctions may not be a good solution, but in the absence of any other option, it was the only way out of the present crisis for Sri Lanka.
Chandrika-Ranil talks end in deadlock
COLOMBO, NOV 12 (PTI)
Talks between Sri Lanka's warring President and Prime Minister ended in a deadlock with no sign of ending the island's unprecedented political crisis, official sources said today.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met behind closed-doors for about two hours but neither side showed signs of compromise, the sources said.
The meeting started slightly behind schedule as Kumaratunga turned up late at her own President's House official residence, officials said. A source close to the prime minister said he did not press for the re-instatement of the three ministers sacked summarily by Kumaratunga, but wanted her to take over the running of the Norwegian-backed peace process.
Wickremesinghe argued that he cannot handle the peace process with Tamil Tiger rebels unless he was in full control over the government, including the defence, interior and information portfolios taken by Kumaratunga.
Kumaratunga, on the other hand made no commitments, but expressed her serious concerns about the security situation in the country in the light of her allegations that the government jeopardised national security.
Both, however, agreed to issue a joint statement later saying they met and planned to have another round of talks next week inviting leaders of minority parties supporting Wickremesinghe's government. However, today's meeting had raised expectations of a compromise to the conflict which had sent markets tumbling and dented investor confidence.
Political sources said the president's party in the meantime was trying to cut a political deal with the Marxist JVP, or People's Liberation Front to contest a possible snap poll.
Kumaratunga could use her executive power to sack parliament anytime now to call an election four years ahead of schedule.
Analysts believe that elelctions may not be a good solution, but in the absence of any other option, it was the only way out of the present crisis for Sri Lanka.