2ND LEAD (Adds corrections)

SLFP, UNP to hold second round of talks Tuesday

[TamilNet, Saturday, 16 September 2006, 12:21 GMT]
The second round of talks between the committees of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), main constituent of the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA), and the main opposition United National Party (UNP) to reach a consensus on national issues has been fixed for Tuesday, 19 September. A joint sub-committee appointed at the first round of talks held Friday has been tasked to submit its recommendations on proposals tabled at the inaugural event at the next meeting, said a joint statement issued by the SLFP and UNP Friday evening.

Ministers Maithiripala Sirisena and John Senviratne of the SLFP and Professor G.L.Peiris and Mr.Malik Samarawickrema of the UNP are members of the joint sub-committee.

The third round of talks between the main committees of the two parties would be held on October 3.

The first round of talks between the two parties ended on a positive note with both parties expressing optimism that they could reach consensus on vital issues, the joint statement said.

During the first round of talks the delegations addressed issues in detail and decided to formulate a common agenda, consisting of priority areas. Once an agreement is reached on the substance on policies to be implemented in respect of the fields identified, the delegations will proceed to deliberate on the modalities appropriate for the co-operation between the parties with a view to implementation of the policies agreed upon, the joint statement said.