Sri Lanka president's address

Sri Lanka's President Chandrika Kumaratunga gave a televised address on Tuesday explaining her decision to suspend parliament and take control of key areas of Prime Minister Wickramasinghe's government. Here is the text of her address:

"The disturbing developments of the past few months culminating in the events of the last days and the ineffective steps taken by the administration to ensure national security have led me to take the view that firm and steadfast action is necessary to remedy this situation.

I have accordingly decided to take over three areas of government in which I feel urgent corrective action is necessary, namely, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Mass Communication, which have an immediate impact on the security situation, while ensuring the media full freedom of expression.

However, the three ministers concerned will continue to hold the several other portfolios they hold at present. This is not an effort against any party or individual but done only in the exercise of the duties and responsibilities bestowed on me under the constitution in the overall national interest.

I have long been committed to the peaceful resolution of the ethnic conflict that has bedevilled the country for a number of years.

I made my position on this issue clear well before I was elected President of the Republic.

I intend to continue with my efforts to arrive at a negotiated settlement. which will satisfy the aspirations of all the communities of Sri Lanka. I remain committed to the preservation of a pluralist, democratic society throughout Sri Lanka where the human rights of all citizens are assured and protected and the just rights of all citizens are secured.

When I personally presented in parliament the draft Constitution of 2000 which reflected my views and those of the People¿s Alliance, on the kind of political solution that should be acceptable to all our communities ¿ a draft which had been substantially agreed to by the then Opposition, I did so in all sincerity.

It was an expression of my determination to ensure that a just solution acceptable to all was brought about. That Constitution was reviled and burnt in the chamber of Parliament by members of the main opposition party.

I wish to assure the minorities of the country, especially the Tamil and Muslim communities that their concerns will be given due and serious consideration in trying to reach a negotiated settlement. I remain willing to discuss with the LTTE [Tamil Tigers] a just and balanced solution of the national problem, within the parameters of the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. I believe that given goodwill, commitment and the widest possible support on the part of all those concerned in solving this problem, a just and durable solution could be found.

I appeal to all my fellow citizens to remain calm. I will not tolerate revenge and lawlessness from whatever quarter it may come. The maintenance of law and order is one of the paramount duties cast on me under the Constitution. It is a duty I will discharge with the cooperation of the security forces and all the people of Sri Lanka."