All party conference a positive step - Ruwan

• No political party in the opposition can go on its own and do their own thing as what people want is a common platform to resolve their issues

By Yohan Perera   

The all party conference which was summoned by the National Movement for Social Justice is a positive step as such a move to form a common platform is what people want today, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.    

Mr. Wijewardene who spoke to Daily Mirror about Saturday’s conference said it is a good thing for the opposition parties to get on to a common platform to talk of issues faced by the people. “ No political party in the opposition can go on its own and do their own thing as what people want is a common platform to resolve their issues,” Mr. Wijewardene said.   
“ The UNP Leader may participate in the next round of discussions,” he added. 

 
Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Leader Mano Ganesan said the discussion focused on few points including the abolition of the 20th amendment, addressing economic issue and assuring independence of the judiciary. I proposed that the parties should also focus on national integration and a solution to the national issue, I said the TPA will participate in future discussions only if the parties focus on national integration.  

SJB general Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara who commented on the discussion said it was a success. “ We are ready to work with other parties,” he said. Asked whether SJB is ready to work with UNP he said there is no one left in that party as many have joined his party. “ Many UNPers have joined us and we will convince the others to come work with us,” he said.