With the present solidarity moves and its complicated implications, ending the 17-year-old war has become even more difficult, stated Prof. G, L, Peiris, Minister of Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, and Minister of Constitutional Affairs. Although parliament unanimously endorsed the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, the president has so far not appointed her nominee nor approved the joint recommendations made of nominees to the Constitutional Council and thus delaying the appointment of the four independent commissions, said the minister.

These views were expressed by Minister Peiris at the opening ceremony of the Educational, Cultural and Sports Centre of the Prof. G. L. Peiris Foundation, at 39 Abeyratne Mawatha, Boralesgamuwa. The foundation hopes to extend its services to those living in the Kesbewa Electorate too.

Speaking further the minister said that the appointment of members to the Constitutional Council was endorsed by the prime minister in agreement with the leader of the opposition. The president has not approved these appointments. She has also not participated in the meeting of the Heads of State of the United Nations held in Brisbane citing her party members are being harassed. It is to the benefit of all citizens; to the benefit of all parties and mainly to the opposition to overcome all these problems that the government is trying to bring in the four independent commissions by vesting independent powers in them. If the president is not willing to cooperate, as Minister of Constitutional Affairs, Peiris will be compelled to bring in a further amendment to the Constitution to Parliament, whereby the president’s powers to carry out this exercise will be bestowed upon the Speaker, being the Head of Parliament.

The minister stated that there had been many an occasion on which the president had cancelled appointments such as the swearing in of seven ministers, thereby causing embarrassment to them. The last Cabinet Meeting which was to start at 6.00 was delayed till 7.10 due to the late arrival of the president. At a similar gathering, the ministers had sent word to the president that she could come at a time she desires and until such time the prime minister would chair the meeting, and she had turned up within seconds. The president has had no time for the 3rd Senior Secretary of the USA, the President the Asian Development Bank nor for the swearing in of 07 ministers. She has had no time to sign a document to remedy the present power crisis.

Speaking further the minister stated that on the satisfactory situation of the peace process the Asian Development Bank and Japan are prepared to help Sri Lanka and world renown American General Electric Company and Caterpillar company will be investing in Sri Lanka soon. He also stated that our training programmes would have to be geared in such a way so that these investors could be easily facilitated. The G. L. Peiris Foundation has given priority to courses in English, Computer technology and self-employment. The minister thanked Minister Gamini Lokuge immensely for the cooperation extended in opening the Kesbewa branch.

Addressing the gathering, Gamini Lokuge, Minister of Tourism stated that seeking employment with mere academic qualifications today is not sufficient. One has to possess additional qualifications. Those living in the Kesbewa area can obtain this facility at this foundation. He stated that as an educationist Professor Peiris knows the value of education. He also stands behind the prime minister in the peace process. It was observed that the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities in Vavuniya were rejoicing after a long period of time. After a long time BBC was pro-Sri Lanka in one of their recent news items.

Provincial Council Minister Tennyl Rathnasiri in his address stated that Prof. G. L. Peiris always worked towards finding permanent solutions to the ethnic conflict. Minister Peiris is recognised as a soldier taking the government’s peace campaign forward. He has formed the foundation to educate the youth irrespective of their political parties. The fullest cooperation of the UNF Provincial Council, Kesbewa branch was assured at this moment.

The English language syllabus and machines for self-employment, were handed over by Minister G. L. Peiris to the course conductors whilst tents and chairs were handed over to Gamini Lokuge.

M/s Vasantha Jayasinghe, Chairman of the Rural Development Committee, Abeyratne Mawatha, Dickson Perera Chairman of the Western Provincial Council, Buddhi Udayapriya Silva, Administrative Officer of the Prof. G. L. Peiris Foundation) and Coordinator for Kesbewa Manjula Manohara also addressed the gathering.