SLFP dissidents, JVP predict demise of Rajapakse regime

[TamilNet, Saturday, 10 March 2007, 17:29 GMT]
Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, sacked minister from the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government said Saturday that a new government will be informed in Sri Lanka shortly, and Mangala Samaraweera, another sacked minister will play a vital role in that government. He didn't reveal any other details. Meanwhile, separately, the Sinhala nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Saturday said the life span of the present United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) agreement will last only for fifteen months.

Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyarachchi Saturday addressed a reception accorded them by their supporters in Kiribathgoda, a suburb in Colombo.

Mangala Samaraweera said the President of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has no dictatorial power to run the party.

Mahinda Rajapakse has been holding the post of President of the SLFP.

The SLFP working committee at its emergency meeting held last week with Mahinda Rajapakse in the chair decided to summon the dissident SLFP parliamentarians before the party disciplinary committee for violating the party principles, sources said.

Meanwhile, in Kalutura, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, JVP parliamentarian addressing a district party activists' meeting, said, JVP will be working for the establishment of a new government during this period of 15 months.

He further said there would be no alliance with the UPFA government in future. Mr Rajapakse won the last presidential election because of the support of the JVP. JVP will ensure that he is ousted from power within 15 months' period.

Nandana Gunatilake, Kalutara district JVP parliamentarian was removed from the district organizer post at this meeting and new person was appointed.

Nandana Gunatilake was earlier removed from the JVP politburo and now he is functioning the parliament as a rebel member.

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