JVP politburo meets to decide on ministerial dispute

[TamilNet, Monday, 26 April 2004, 16:26 GMT]
The politburo of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) began its crucial discussion Monday evening on the alternative suggestions submitted by Sri Lanka's President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunge, in regard to the allocation of Mahaveli Development Ministry to JVP, political sources said.

A JVP high powered delegation Monday morning met with Ms. Kumaratunge in the Presidential House and discussed in detail about the crisis in allocating ministries to JVP. During the discussion Ms. Kumaratunge tabled alternative suggestions to JVP leaders to sort out the existing difference of opinion between the two major constituent parties, sources said.

During the discussion both parties agreed to exercise maximum flexibility with the sole objective of finding solutions to all problems, the sources said.

The JVP delegation comprised Messrs Tilvin Silva, Wimal Weerawanse, Nandana Gunatilake and Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) delegation comprised the Prime Minister Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, Ministers Messrs Susil Premajayantha, Maithripala Sirisena and Mangala Samaraweera. Ms. Kumaratunge presided.

The JVP politburo began its deliberations on the President's suggestion in the evening and the discussion is in progress, sources said.

Meanwhile, a senior leader of the SLFP and Minister, Mr.Anura Bandaranaike, expressed confidence Monday that dispute over ministerial allocation to the JVP would be resolved by Wednesday, sources said.