All-party request letter puts Tamil parties in a fix

For the past few days, the local political scene is filled with talks of an All-Party government with President Ranil Wickremesinghe reiterating his call to all political parties represented in Parliament to unite under one umbrella and overcome the worst economic crisis the country has faced.

Before delivering the 'Throne speech' in Parliament this week, the President wrote to all political party leaders represented in Parliament and MPs on the need to form an All Party government. The letter reads: "It is my opinion, however, that a programme needs to be implemented with the participation of all political parties represented in Parliament, expert groups, civil society organisations and all related parties in order to successfully overcome the challenges before us. It is also the intention of the people at this moment, that their representatives in Parliament will act to find solutions to the economic and social crises in the country through a common programme. It is the duty and responsibility of all of us,"

" I propose to initiate a broad dialogue to discuss next steps including the reintroduction of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and t he Parliamentary Oversight Committee System to fulfill this national responsibility, "

President stressed.

This put many political parties, particularly the Tamil parties in a fix as they are under pressure from their constituencies facing increasing economic difficulties to support such an All party government, but the parties are also worried that if they extend support to the government, the possibility of securing a seat in the next Parliament is questionable.

The All Ceylon Tamil Congress which has two seats in the Parliament said it will not support the government which they say has some "Fascist characteristics even though the President portrays himself as a liberal".

The Tamil Makkal Kootani led by C. V. Wigneswaran is still considering the offer even though he is the sole MP of the party. Opposition to the former Supreme Court Justice extending support to the government and accepting a ministerial portfolio comes from within the party itself.

Pa r t y Secretary K. Arunthavapalan, however noted that the party was yet to discuss the call and declared at a press briefing this week that, if his leader accepted a ministerial post in this government, he would be the first person to raise the slogan; "Wiggi Go Colombo".

I propose to initiate a broad dialogue to discuss next steps including the reintroduction of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and Parliamentary Oversight Committee System to fulfill this national responsibility