DATE=1/20/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKA / DEVOLUTION (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258252
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In an effort to end years of civil war that
have devastated the country, the Sri Lankan government
says that it will begin talks on delegating powers
from the central government to local regions. Vandana
Chopra has the report from Colomba.
TEXT: The state radio said Thursday that the
government plans to discuss devolution proposals with
all political parties as well as with Tamil Tiger
rebels, who have, since 1983, been fighting for a
separate homeland in the northeastern part of the
country. When these talks are completed, the radio
said, the government will send a draft constitution
containing the proposals to parliament.
The new measures, if approved by parliament, would
delegate more powers to regional councils, including a
council in the northeast of the country that would be
administered by minority Tamils. The government hopes
the proposals, once made part of the constitution,
will encourage the Tamil rebels to end their campaign
for a separate homeland.
On Wednesday, the main opposition, the United National
Party, pledged its support for the government's
initiative. The government needs the backing of the
U-N-P if it is going to get the two-thirds majority it
needs for approval of the reforms.
Sri Lanka's president, Chandrika Kumaratunga, who won
a second term as president in elections at the end of
last year, vowed during her campaign that she would
take steps to end the war that has led to the deaths
of thousands.
President Kumaratunga held talks with the rebels in
1994, shortly after being elected president, but the
talks failed after the rebels accused the president of
not being serious. (Signed)
NEB/VC/KL
20-Jan-2000 12:21 PM EDT (20-Jan-2000 1721 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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