2nd lead:

SLFP, JVP confusing everyone says former minister

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 March 2004, 08:50 GMT]
Former Minister of Lands Mr. Rajitha Senaratne accused the JVP of having no clear policy to resolve the northeast crisis and said the contradictory positions of the two coalition partners - the SLFP and the JVP -were confusing everyone. The outspoken United National Front politician was addressing a press conference in Colombo Wednesday.

“The people are confused, we are confused, I suspect the LTTE too are confused and certainly their supporters must be confused about the approach the JVP/SLFP Alliance will take towards the peace process,” he said.

“On the one hand we have Lakshman Kadirgarmar of the SLFP saying that the LTTE will be the only representatives at the negotiating table, and there would be no preconditions for talks and the LTTE would not be recognised as the sole representatives of the Tamil people,” he continued.

“On the other hand we have Wimal Weerawansa of the JVP saying that they would discuss with the LTTE although there would be conditions and the LTTE would not be considered the sole representatives of the Tamil people,” said Mr.Senaratne.

Then the JVP/SLFP are confused about whether there would be conditions to the talks or not. Even comrade Somawansa who now seems to be very involved in the policy making of the JVP/SLFP alliance has confirmed that there will be conditions laid down before talks can be continued,” he said.

“Also why has the President has gone quiet on this subject? Is she distancing herself from the newfound collegues? Has she too realised their fudged policies would be a disaster for the country and is now regretting going into an alliance with the JVP?” he added.