Viewed as a whole the concept of devolution plays an important role in the sphere of provincial development. The government should refer the package to the people without delay and invite action to restore peace and rehabilitate the people in border areas. Otherwise the Tigers might infiltrate into their lands. It is only through bipartisan approach by the government and the UNP a solution could be found to the current ethnic crisis. Only the creation of a single administrative council and a regional council for the North and East with special powers could guarantee a viable political solution.
Devolution of power ought to be based on national peace and inter-racial democratic harmony.
The apprehension that self rule for the north and east could lead to separation will thwart the efforts towards the national reconciliation. The solution to the crisis should have the potential to convince the Tamil speaking people of the importance of living in a united Lanka. Problems relating to land, finance and education in the northern and eastern provinces are not comparable to those in the south. This is a decisive moment and we have above all to think of the future of our children. We cannot permit ourselves to be the cats paw of the war fanatics.