Anura Bandaranaike tipped to become SLFP-JVP alliance leader

[TamilNet, Sunday, 18 January 2004, 14:40 GMT]
The prospective leader of the new political alliance to be formed between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the Sinhala nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party Mr.Anura Bandaranaike said Sunday that "the formation of the new political group would be the beginning of the country's long political journey towards solving Sri Lanka's problems and for ensuring peace and justice for all."

The new political alliance will be named in Sinhalese "Eksath Janatha Nidahas Peramuna" (United Peoples Liberation Front) and Peoples Alliance parliamentarian Mr.Anura Bandaranaike is tipped to be the leader of the new alliance. Mr. Bandaranaike is the only son of two Prime Ministers late Mr.S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike and Ms Srima Bandaranaike. Ms Srima Bandaranaike was the first woman Prime Minister in the world.

Mr Anura Bandaranaike who represents the Gampaha district in the western province in the current parliament is the brother of the incumbent Executive President of Sri Lanka Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge and her senior advisor.

Mr.Anura Bandaranaike described the forthcoming signing of the MoU between the SLFP, which was founded by his father, and the JVP as a historic and timely step. "I have been promoting the idea of forging a political alliance between the SLFP and JVP to safeguard the country from division. The new alliance would work to safeguard the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country and also will ensure peace and justice," Mr. Bandaranaike said.

He further said that several objectives that were not achieved for more than fifty years could be realized under this new alliance.

The post of Chairman of the new alliance will go to JVP parliamentarian Mr.Nandana Gunatilake, PA parliamentarian Mr. Mangala Samaraweera the General Secretary and the Leader of the Opposition Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse will be the alliance national organizer, Colombo political sources said.