JVP studies President’s reply

[TamilNet, Friday, 24 August 2001, 11:16 GMT]
Sri Lanka’s President Chandrika Kumaratunge Friday replied to the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) regarding her position in forming a probationary government as suggested by the latter during their two rounds of talks held earlier this month. However, the state-run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), which reported the news did not reveal the contents of the President’s communication.

The JVP said that it has received President's reply and that members of the party's politburo met immediately to study the President's reply. “The party's position to the President's letter will be revealed later Friday,” a spokesman of the JVP said.

The leading members of the JVP met President Chandrika two weeks ago at her invitation to discuss the present political crisis. In their second round of talks with President Chandrika Kumaratunge, JVP leaders suggested that a probationary government should be formed for a limited period to overcome the present political crisis. They wanted parliament should be reconvened and referendum cancelled.

President Chandrika promised that she would send her response to JVP's suggestion within ten days' time. As she failed to keep her promise, the JVP Wednesday sent a reminder to the President requesting her to clarify her position on their suggestion of a probationary government.