Referendum cancelled, Parliament meets on Sept. 6

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 September 2001, 10:38 GMT]
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge Monday issued proclamations cancelling the referendum fixed for October 18 and reconvening prorogued parliament on Thursday, a day earlier of the scheduled date. Meanwhile a top-level discussion is now in progress between the ruling People's Alliance and the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna at the Prime Minister's official residence, government sources said.

The Prime Minister leads the PA delegation. Mr.Tilvin Silva general secretary leads the JVP delegation.

Authoritative sources said talks are centred on finalizing the Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties.

In another development, a group of religious leaders made an appeal to Speaker Anura Bandaranaike not to allow another prorogation of parliament after it is reconvened. Venerable Maduluwewa Sobitha Thera, Venerable Bellenwila Wimalaretna Thera and Rev. Fr Mary Peiris have signed the memorandum, which has been sent to the Speaker Monday.