JVP bent on inflaming the South against ISGA- paper

[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 10:41 GMT]
"Even though Sri Lanka's President Ms. Kumaratunge has cautioned the UPFA Ministers and parliamentarians not to air any views on the question of Interim Administration in public, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a minority partner in the UPFA government, is openly defying the request. JVP MP and General Secretary, Wimal Weerawansa, stated the very next day that the JVP would continue to oppose any discussions with the LTTE based on the latter's ISGA proposals," said Thinakural, a popular Tamil daily, in its editorial Wednesday.

"Addressing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP's) 53rd anniversary at Galle last Saturday, Minister Anura Bandaranaike stated that it is best to let Ms.Kumaratunge handle the problem since contradictory statements from Government would send wrong signals to the LTTE. The Minister realized that apart from the embarrassing the president, the JVP campaign could inflame the South against the prospect of setting up any form of Interim Administration, let alone the LTTE's ISGA," the paper said.

"Wimal Weerawansa denied a statement made two weeks ago by the Head of the Peace Secretariat, Jayantha Dhanapala, that the Government was engaged in preparing an alternative proposal, adding that JVP would not permit any discussion on the ISGA.Although Ms.Kumaratunge has climed down from her earlier position that there should be parallel discussions on the core issues as first put forward by Foreign Minister Laksman Kadirgamar, the JVP continues to oppose Sri Lanka President.

"Most SLFPers are unprepared for an active campaign in the South, while the UNP which has offered its support is also not ready to launch a campaign to strengthen the offer. Thus, the South only hears opposition to recommencing peace negotiations. If the President wants her Ministers and MPs to remain silent, how is she going to mobilise support for peace effort," the paper asked.

"The best course open to the President is to encourage her party stalwarts to launch a sustained campaign for her initiative rather than asking them to remain silent. Especially since the JVP will not abide by principle of collective responsibility, and is determined to go ahead with its protest campaign to improve its standing among voters of the South," the paper said.