JHU holds talks with Rajapakse on presidential poll

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 August 2005, 16:44 GMT]
A delegation of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), all monks' party Monday held talks with Prime Minister and the presidential candidate of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, in an attempt to reach a consensus on its five-point formula to support him in the presidential poll. The talks centered on reaching consensus with Mr.Rajapakse on two main demands that he should accept unitary constitution to continue and not to hold peace talks with the LTTE, Venerable Athuraliya Ratana Thera of the JHU said.

The talks were held in Temple Trees, official residence of the Prime Minister for about two hours.

The discussion was held in a cordial atmospher, JHU sources said.

JHU delegation comprised parliamentarians Venerable Ellawalla Medhananda Thera and Venerable Athuraliya Ratana Thera, Mr.Udayan Gammanpila and Mr.Champika Ranawake, the sources said.