by Cyril Wimalasurendre
KANDY: The Mahanayake Theros of Malwatte and Asgiriya said yesterday (02) that the proposals of the LTTE should be studied and discussed at length before any agreement.

Most Ven. Rambukwelle Sri Wipassi Mahanayake Thero of Malwatte told journalists that he agreed with a statement of Minister S. B. Dissanayake saying that the contents of the memorandum of proposals should be subjected to discussion with the intellectuals, intelligentsia, the clergy including the Maha Sangha.

"We should not disrupt the peace process at any cost. The proposals should be open to discussion and all sectors should take an interest in the important issue:

As regards the taking over of the Defence Ministry by the President, Most Ven. Sri Wipassi Mahanayake Thero said that the move by the President was untimely.

If the President wished to have the Defence Ministry under her she could have done so two years ago, the Mahanayake Thero noted.

Her attempt at this juncture is an unwise exercise particular because the government with the cooperation of many other sectors and the world outside is proceeding with the responsibility of restoration of peace for the nation, Sri Wipassi Manahayake Thero added.

Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Mahanayake Thero of Asgiriya said that the important issue of the establishment of peace in the country should be resolved by further talks on the proposals made to the government by the LTTE.

Decisions should not be taken by one-self or by one group. There should be compromise, the prelate noted.

Peace is everybody’s hope, he added.

At a crucial moment of endeavour to return peace to the people of Sri Lanka disruption of measures being taken to resolve issues in not advisable to create unnecessary situations by attempts to take over of the Defence Ministry by the President, Ven. Sri Buddharakkitha Thero said.

This attempt by the President is an unwanted step at this moment of time, he added.