JVP declines to accept post in Provincial Council

[TamilNet, Monday, 12 July 2004, 18:05 GMT]
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), coalition partner of the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government said Monday that it would not accept post of chief minister or minister in the newly elected six provincial councils.

"We are against the provincial council (PC) concept and we do not want to strengthen the PC system in the country," said Mr.Wimal Weerawanse, JVP parliamentary group leader, sources said.

However, as a coalition partner of the UPFA we would co-operate with the PC administration to serve the people effectively, Mr.Wimal Weerawanse added.

Of the 73 candidates fielded by the JVP in the UPFA ticket in all the six provincial council elections 72 won creating a history. Only one was not elected as he failed to obtain required number of preferential votes, sources said.

The JVP leadership has told the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) high command that it would not accept any post in the administration of the PC as a matter of policy, the sources said.