Sri Lankan press urges unity

Some fear the peace process will not recover from the power struggle

Many of Sri Lanka's papers blame the current crisis on the politics of confrontation and the history of division.

There are calls for President Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe to focus on the main issues facing the country and to strive for unity.

Some voice concern that the peace talks with the Tamil Tigers may be jeopardised.

The Sinhalese daily Divaina criticises the political parties for a lack of constructive behaviour in the face of a "major national crisis".

Power struggle between the ruling families Thinakkurai

As the country confronts major issues, the paper says, the parties continue to "indulge in the usual pastime of political bickering, of trading accusations and insults".

The Sinhalese Lankadeepa says the current crisis stems from the "vicious division" in Sri Lankan politics.

"Today's crisis is the culmination of disputes and trading of allegations between the executive and the legislature, which has been going on for quite some time."

Despite calls for unity, the paper adds, "each side remained hell-bent on the destructive course of confrontational politics".

'Setbacks'

The Tamil papers, too, are quick to warn against further divisions. Thinakaran says what the country needs is unity and it urges people to avoid confrontation with the president.

It is only the absence of peace talks that will lead the country into a dangerous situation and into a divisive war Virakesari

Thinakkurai sees as the roots of the crisis "a power struggle between the ruling families in the country".

"Peace, development and matters of national importance have been put in limbo, and political affairs have become a competition between two individuals."

This, the paper fears, cannot but cause "setbacks" in the peace process with the Tamil Tiger rebels.

An election will not solve this crisis, whichever party wins Dinamina

Virakesari agrees that the peace talks have been thrown into question. "It is only the absence of peace talks that will lead the country into a dangerous situation and into a divisive war," it warns.

The Sinhalese Dinamina comes down hard on the government, criticising it for failing to address security issues.

"The government has allowed the country's security situation to deteriorate while the Tamil Tigers have continued to strengthen themselves."

Dinamina ponders possible solutions to the crisis, but feels that elections are a non-starter.

One story has dominated the front pages in Sri Lanka

"An election will not solve this crisis, whichever party wins," it argues, calling for a "broad-based national alliance" as the way forward.

The Tamil Sudar Oli, however, challenges the president to submit herself to the people's verdict.

"Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe openly said that they are prepared to face an election. Is the president prepared to face the people?" it asks.

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.