'Committee to sort out differences in UPFA'

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 01 June 2004, 18:31 GMT]
The leaders of Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the two major constituents of ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA), Tuesday night agreed at a discussion to appoint a committee to sort out the differences that have arisen in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two parties, sources said.

The meeting, which commenced at the President's House Tuesday night around 8 p.m. with President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge presiding, concluded after midnight. SLFP general secretary and minister, Mr.Maithiripala Sirisena, and Ministers Nimal Sripala de Silva and Mangala Samaraweera represented the SLFP. Messrs Tilvin Silva, Wimal Weerawanse and Nandana Gunatilake represented the JVP.

During the four-hour discussion, Peace Secretariat Secretary General, Mr.Jayantha Dhanapala, briefed the JVP delegation about the proposed peace talks and the matters that are to be discussed with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Mr.Kusum Balapattebandi, one time Secretary to the President, also participated in the discussion, sources said.

Ms. Kumaratunge invited the JVP leaders for a discussion following a four-page letter sent by the JVP to her last weekend, which alleged that the SLFP repeatedly violated the two parties' MoU. Mr.Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of the JVP, said in the letter that they were determined to prevent further violations of the MoU.

Mr.Silva said the people did not elect the UPFA at the April 2nd poll to continue with the previous government's hotly disputed policies on a range if issues, particularly on the peace process and the economy.

Ms. Kumaratunge in her reply to the JVP advised them to submit detailed representations regarding the violation of the MoU signed by the two major constituents, sources said.

Mr.Weerawanse, the Propaganda Secretary of the JVP, Tuesday told media persons in Colombo that a decision was made at the Tuesday night meeting to appoint a committee to sort out the differences between the constituents of the UPFA. However the SLFP has not yet commented on the outcome of the Tuesday night talks.