REFUGEE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government is working on a devolution package for Tamil-dominated northern Sri Lanka but there are difference between the opposition Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and United National Party (UNP), a senior minister in the Rajapaksa government pointed out.

"There are differences between JPV and UNP on the 13th amendment (on devolution) and (Gen) Sarath Fonseka would not be able to take a stand," Keheliya Rambukwella said.

While the main Opposition UNP headed by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe is in favour of extensive power sharing within a united Sri Lanka, the JVP has said it was important to first establish democracy and equal opportunities for all before taking up the devolution issueGen (retd) Fonseka, who quit as Chief of Defence Staff following differences with Rajapaksa, is JVP and UNP's joint presidential candidate for the January 26 election.

JVP Supremo Somawansa Amarasinghe in an interview had said it was important to first establish democracy and equal opportunites for all before taking up the devolution issue in the north.

"The JVP is the only party proposing something beyond the 13th Amendment. We are proposing that we first establish democracy and equal opportunities so that we go towards equality," Amarasinghe had told the Daily Mirror in July.

Meanwhile, the All People's Representative Committee (APRC) working on the devolution package has already submitted an interim report to Rajapaksa.