JVP holds discussions on peace process with allies

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 May 2004, 18:10 GMT]
The leadership of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a main constituent of the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA), has been holding intensive discussions with the other constituent political parties of the UPFA on the current position of the peace process, as a prelude to announcing its final stand on the Norwegian brokered peace talks between the UPFA government and the LTTE, JVP sources said Friday.

The JVP's propaganda secretary, Mr.Wimal Weerawanse, said the talks are now being held with the constituent political parties of the UPFA to obtain their views on the peace process. JVP leaders declined to comment on the prospects of holding talks with other political parties such as the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) and Upcountry People's Front (UPF).

A delegation of the JVP, led by its leader Mr.Somawanse Amarasinghe, Thursday held talks with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) leaders headed by the Prime Minister, Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, regarding the present strategy now being adopted by the President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunge, to resume the peace process with the LTTE, sources said

Friday morning, the JVP delegation led by Mr. Amarasinghe held talks with Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP). The MEP's leader and Minister, Mr.Dinesh Gunawardene, headed the MEP delegation. Later in the day, the JVP delegation met with the delegation of the paramilitary Eelam People's Democratic party (EPDP), which was led by its Secretary General and Minister, Mr. Douglas Devavananda, sources said.