Wickramasinghe declined invitation by president to discuss JoMec

In a letter sent to President Chandrika Kumaratunga, opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe said the donors and the co-chairs of the Tokyo Conference “have invariably linked the implementation of any joint programme of assistance to the tsunami affected areas of the North and East to the peace process”.

“I must say that I am surprised at your statement that the establishment of the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure is not part of the peace process.”

Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka was co-chaired by USA, European Union, Japan and Norway in April 2004.

Leader of the opposition and the United National Party (UNP) Wickramasinghe in his letter has reminded the president herself stated in her New Year message in April, that “the proposed Joint Mechanism providing aid to the people of North and East would be a foundation to find a final solution to the national conflict”.

India visit

However, in a policy statement sent to the president in January 2005 titled “ Making Rehabilitation Programmes People Centred” the UNP has argued local level community development activities should not necessarily be a part of the peace process.

Kumaratunga to meet Indian leaders prior to donor meeting

“Mechanisms for the North-East will be possible after the Government’s discussions with the LTTE,” the policy statement said.

Wickremasinghe has issued the letter on Wednesday on the eve of president's visit to India.

President Kumaratunga is to meet Indian leaders on the weekend prior to the commencement of Sri Lanka Development Forum (SLDF) meeting on Monday in Kandy.

Representatives from over fifty countries and international donor agencies are expected to participate at this forum.

The Sri Lankan treasury says that the main theme of this forum would be the post-tsunami recovery and reconstruction process and the medium-term development strategies of Sri Lanka.

Offer declined

The suggested Apex body of the JoMec would include one member from the each community.

According to Norwegian proposals the regional bodies to have ten members; five Tamils, three Muslims and two Sinhalas.

Proposed joint mechanism Apex body - 1Sinhala, 1Tamil, 1Muslim Regional body -5Tamil, 3Muslim, 2Sinhala District - DS, LTTE, Muslim, Civil, UN Custodian for funds- World Bank

District joint bodies will consist of District Secretary (DS), representatives from LTTE, Muslim community, civil society and the UN organisations.

Wickremasinghe has rejected an offer extended by President Kumaratunge to discuss proposed JoMec last week.

Speaking to BBC Sandeshaya (BBC Sinhala) UNP’s deputy secretary general Tissa Attanayake said that the party will not comment on JoMec “until we see a clear documented proposal by the government”.