SLFP-JVP undecided on political alliance

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 December 2003, 03:53 GMT]
Another round of talks held between the leaders of the Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP), chief constituent of the main opposition People's Alliance, and the Sinhala nationalist cum Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which is the third largest party in the current parliament, Monday night concluded without fixing a date for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to forge a political alliance, political sources said.

However, the State controlled Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation reported in its Tuesday morning news bulletin that the general secretaries of both parties had been entrusted with the task of fixing the date for signing the MoU after sorting out existing practical differences between them within a fortnight. The Media Ministry, which controls state media institutions, has been under the President since November 3, sources said.

The President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunge, and the SLFP general secretary, Mr.Maitripala Sirisena, on behalf of the SLFP, and Mr Tilvin Silva and Mr.Wimal Weerawanse on behalf of the JVP, participated in Monday's talks, sources said.

The signing of the MoU is reported to have been delayed by the SLFP, as it is awaiting the outcome of the crucial fourth round of talks between Ms. Kumaratunge and Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, which is scheduled to be held on December 10, political sources said.

Meanwhile, a JVP politburo member is reported to have made a statement last week that Monday's meeting would be a decisive one, as they would determine whether to continue with the talks for a political alliance with the SLFP or end it, media sources said.