November 5, 2003	Wednesday	Ramazan 9, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

COLOMBO, Nov 4: Sri Lanka’s president sacked three ministers on Tuesday, suspended parliament for two weeks and ordered troops to guard key installations, infuriating the prime minister and sparking a crisis that threatens peace talks with Tamil Tigers.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, on an official visit in Washington, described the moves by arch rival, President Chandrika Kumaratunga, as desperate and irresponsible and said they could plunge the country into chaos and anarchy.

The split has been building since Mr Wickremesinghe’s party won parliamentary elections in 2001, with President Kumaratunga sharply critical of government efforts to end the 20-year war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The open conflict between the president and the prime minister now threatens the bid to end the war that has killed 64,000 people, diplomats said.

“This is bad, the focus on the peace process will be gone,” said one Western diplomat.

The sacking of the defence, interior and media ministers comes three days after the Tigers unveiled power-sharing proposals, which the government said were a basis for fresh peace talks early next year. The president says the government is giving away too much in its efforts to win peace.

Announcing the dismissal of the ministers, the three most powerful in Mr Wickremesinghe’s cabinet, the president’s office said: “This step has been taken after careful consideration, in order to prevent further deterioration of the security situation in the country.”

Mr Wickremesinghe said he would not waver in the pursuit of peace with the Tigers.

“Your government will not be deviated from the mandate given it by the people to pursue the path of peace, security and economic prosperity due to the irresponsible and precipitous actions of the president aimed at plunging the country into chaos and anarchy,” said a statement issued by his office in Colombo.

“I pledge to you the people, your government will not allow this desperate and irresponsible attempt to undermine the peace process and economic prosperity of the people to succeed.”

Officials in Colombo had said Mr Wickremesinghe was due to meet President George Bush later in the day, but the White House says the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.

POWER-SHARING PROPOSALS: The pro-LTTE Tamilnet website said the president’s actions had “dimmed” prospects for peace, adding that the status of the ceasefire had become uncertain.

Chandrika Kumaratunga went on nationwide television to defend her actions and to reach out to the Tigers.

“I remain willing to discuss with the LTTE a just and a balanced solution of the national problem within the parameters of the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka,” she said.—Reuters