CBK and RW pow-wow
- Tuesday, 11 March 2014
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had a meeting this morning at the Opposition Leader’s Office.
Kumaratunga has told the media that she had sought the meeting on behalf of an NGO, South Asia Policy and Research Institute (SAPRI).
She has added that she had also made request for a similar meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
She has added that she had also made request for a similar meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The meeting between the former President and the Opposition Leader was based on religious issues.
“I am grateful to the UNP leader for giving us time for the discussion. We have received responses from some Government Ministers who are willing to meet us. We will later brief the public on the importance of inter faith coexistence and how this will help the country,” Kumaratunga was quoted in the media as saying.
The former President has also noted that it is important that the issue of attacks on religious minorities had figured in the US draft resolution presented to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.
Wickremesinghe meanwhile has said that the UNP will support Kumaratunga and SAPRI in its efforts to create unity among all religions in Sri Lanka.
CBK-Ranil Meet Amid Press Glare
March 11, 2014
Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga held talks with Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on the ongoing attacks on religious minorities today (11).
Kumaratunga’s think tank, SAPRI handed over recommendations it had drafted on how resolve religious tensions following an interfaith dialogue and forum it had organised to the UNP Delegation led by Wickremesinghe.
The meeting that was held at the UNP Leader’s office in Jawatte, Colombo, was mobbed by journalists and photographers eager to get soundbytes from the former head of state, amid speculation that she may be contemplating a return to active politics.
“Nothing political was discussed,” Kumaratunga told reporters soon after the discussion.
She said that although she had sought a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and several ministers, she was yet to be granted audience.
