But Russia also wants Sri Lanka act to find a solution to the ethnic issue. As principle, Russia's stance does not differ from the stand of the countries that Sri Lanka government has identified as enemy countries since they voted for the resolution.
Russia's ambassador in Colombo, Valadimir P Mikhaylov, told The Island in an interview, that implementing the recommendations "will bring you to the best position."
"A political solution needs to be found to the ethnic issue," the ambassador said. Asked if by ‘political solution’ he meant devolution of power, Mikhaylov said: "No. That is an internal matter which you’ll have to decide on. But, whatever the model it has to be acceptable to all communities. The wounds are still very fresh. It takes time to heal. Too much pressure is not good. Rushed formulas will not be durable. It should grow from among the people."
"Devolution would differ from country to country. Some want centralised regimes while others opt for various combinations," he said. "The UK is said to have a parliamentary model, but how can you speak of democracy when there is a monarchy. They arrived at their formula of governance gradually and over the years it has become acceptable to them. So it is for each country to decide what is good for it."Now, that is it. The diplomat utters 'vicious' words like 'ethnic issue', 'political solution', 'power devolution' etc. Will our vociferous Ministers like Wimal Weerawansa now stop reading Russian novels, if he is reading any?
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