New alliance with SLFP dissidents imminent- JVP

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 June 2005, 01:29 GMT]
The Marxist coalition partner Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) warned Tuesday that there will not be a United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government in Sri Lanka after Wednesday midnight. "We would be forming a new alliance on Thursday with the support of some UPFA senior ministers opposed to the Joint Mechanism," said Mr.Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of the JVP, addressing the public meeting held Tuesday evening in Lipton's Square at the conclusion of the protest march, sources said.

Tilvin Silva said division of Sri Lanka is certain if Joint Mechanism is established.

Mr.Wimal Weeravanse, JVP parliamentary group leader said the JVP will leave the UPFA coalition Wednesday night if Ms Kumaratunge fails to abandon her decision to sign the joint mechanism proposal. "There is no change in our stand. We are firm that JM should not be signed with the LTTE," said Mr Weerawanse.

Meanwhile, an attempt made by Prime Minister Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse to extend the date of JVP's ultimatum proved futile, according to political sources. Mr Rajapakshe Monday night held discussions with JVP's leading activists to extend their ultimatum from Wednesday midnight to another date to avoid the collapse of the UPFA government.

However, the JVP members who participated in the discussion are reported to have told the PM that they would be conveying his request the JVP politburo, sources said.