PA accepts JVP conditions

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 September 2001, 06:44 GMT]
President Chandrika Kumaratunge has been empowered by the government parliamentary group Sunday midnight to cancel the October 18 referendum and reconvene parliament on Thursday. The government parliamentary group Sunday requested the President to implement its decisions with immediate effect.

The Cabinet also later decided to resign en-bloc to pave way for the President to appoint ministers not exceeding twenty, government sources said. The present Cabinet consists of 44 ministers.

President's proclamation in this regard would be issued at any moment, and a new cabinet comprising twenty ministers is also likely to be sworn in Monday, the sources said.

A Memorandum Of Understanding between the ruling People's Alliance and the JVP is likely to be signed Monday afternoon, political sources said.

JVP Propaganda Secretary Mr.Wimal Weerawanse said his party is very much pleased that the government parliamentary group and the Cabinet have approved their conditions in forming a probation government in a bid to resolve the present political crisis.

"Our party will not interfere in the appointment of ministers by the PA", he said.

President Kumaratunge is expected to attend the opening ceremony of parliament Thursday and deliver her policy statement.