S.Lanka Govt May Let President Handle Peace Bid
The Sri Lankan government, in a power struggle with the island’s president, said Sunday it may ask her to take over a peace process with Tamil rebels if she does not reverse a decision to sack three ministers. President Chandrika Kumaratunga — who has accused the government of being too soft on the separatist rebels — fired the defense, media and interior ministers, and suspended parliament until November 19 last week. Her action has thrown the country into political turmoil and analysts say it threatens the peace process initiated by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government. Kumaratunga has said Wickremesinghe could continue pursuing peace with the minority Tamil rebels, but a cabinet spokesman said Sunday the prime minister must be in overall charge to do that. “The prime minister has the mandate and he must have control over all aspects,” G.L. Peiris told a news conference. Full Story