The government yesterday agreed to the appointment of a parliamentary committee with a mandate to assess on a continuing basis the implementation of the Cessasation of Hostilites Agreement between the government and LTTE.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in a communication to LSSP leader Batty Weerakoon said he was fully in agreement with Weerakoon’s suggestion that a parliamentary committee assess the implementation of the ceasefire agreeement and was willing to take early action to work out modalities regarding the appointment of the committee so that it could begin to function as rapidly as possible.

"My suggestion is that the Committee should be nominated by political parties represented in parliament and entrusted with a mandate to assess on a continuing basis the progress made in respect of the implementation of the Cessasation of Hostililtes Agreement. Leaders of Political parties should be free to nominate their representatives — members of parliament as well as others".

The Prime Minister's office he said will function as the conduit through which information will be transmitted by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission to the Committee appointed by parliament.

"I deeply appreciate your helpful observations on the peace initiative of the government. I find your sugestions both timely and practical.It is of crucial importance that all political parties should work together in the interest of a durable negotiated solution to the ethnic conflict at a time when a fresh window of opportunity has presented itself".

Wickremesinghe observed that he would be happy to arrange for the Sri Lanka monitoring mission the functions of which are defined in article 111 of the Cessation of Hostilites Agreement to keep a committee appointed by parliament fully informed of the decisions they have made and action taken in the discharge of their duties. (ZJ)