COLOMBO, Aug 24: The Sri Lankan government announced a four-member team to represent Colombo at the talks to be held in Thailand next month with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The team comprises Industrial Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris, Science and Technology Minister Milinda Moragoda, Muslim Affairs Minister Rauf Hakeem and the head of the Peace Secretariat, Bernard Gunatilleke.

“My dream is about to be achieved. It is fortunate that every member in the United National Front is committed to peace”, Rehabilitation Minister Dr Jayawardena said in an interview with Dawn on Friday.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has said that the proposed LTTE-run interim administration in the North East will be within the framework of the existing constitution.

The premier has sought suggestions from President Kumaratunga’s People’s Alliance (PA) for inclusion in a draft amendment to the constitution.

This amendment envisages the abolition of the power of the president to dissolve parliament and allowing MPs to vote in accordance with their conscience rather than following the party line. Analysts say that bringing such a legislation at this particular time sends a clear message to the LTTE that the government is serious about the peace process.

The amendment is aimed at removing the Tamil Tigers’ apprehensions that any future administration led by the party in the North East would be at the mercy of President Kumaratunga, who is opposed to any power-sharing arrangement with the LTTE.

Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, a minister in the previous People’s Alliance government, said 25 PA MPs were in favour of the amendment. “If the final amendment meets with the requirements for consensual politics, I see no reason why we should not support the government,” he said.