Minister of Industry and Trade Risha Bathiudeen said that he was opposed to the political solution to the national question put forward by the Northern Provincial Council in a recent resolution.

Speaking at an event yesterday, he said that he and his All Ceylon Makkal Congress were opposed to the amalgamation of the north and the eastern provinces.

He acknowledged the right of the TNA to push for such a resolution in the NPC where it has a majority. However, Bathiudeen added that he will be discussing the matter with other parties.