<b>Interim administration must be democratic, Ranil tells ‘New York Times’</b>

Kesara Abeywardena of The Island, in Washington D.C.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in an interview with the "New York Times" said that an interim administration to the North-East must operate within a democratic framework and with respect for human rights.

"The court system of Sri Lanka will operate, so human rights can be safeguarded, and it can be transparent. It will be difficult for the interim administration to operate otherwise. The whole world would be watching them," Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was quoted by Barbara Crossette of the "New York Times" of July 22.

Commenting on the support of the US government Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said: "I think the support they have given us has been very helpful, and that will continue. What we will do now is to discuss the next options."

He had said that the US anti-terrorism drive had helped the peace process in Sri Lanka. "After September, we have benefited, because the world has been looking around and they have been more concerned. That has also led to the conviction that in places like Sri Lanka, where a political solution can be found, we should go for it."

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe had told the ‘New York Times’ that he would ask President George W. Bush and other officials of the US government to expand diplomatic support for his government and to consider a trade and investment agreement to help rebuild the country’s economy.

He had also said that Minister Rauff Hakeem would be included in the direct talks to safeguard the rights of the Muslims when the government and the LTTE would sit at the negotiating table in August.

In an optimistic note on the peace process he had said: "The people-to-people process is taking hold very fast, and that’s what counts most.

What you are seeing in the country is that the people do want peace — sometimes ahead of the government, ahead of the LTTE, ahead of other political forces.

After a long time, there is one country functioning as one economic unit. We are gradually, I would say, limping back to normal".

Courtesy - The Island