2nd lead:

Marxists reject Sri Lanka's truce with Tigers

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 February 2004, 19:51 GMT]
The SLFP-JVP Alliance will not abide by the cease fire agreement (CFA) between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers, instead it would try to negotiate a new CFA, the powerful propaganda secretary of the JVP, Mr. Wimal Weerawansa, told the latest issue of the Sinhala weekly "Lanka". He charged that the CFA Mr. Ranil Wickremesighe signed with the leader of the LTTE in February 2002 poses a clear threat to national security. Informed Sinhala political analysts say "Lanka" is a paper backed by the JVP.

"We, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, have always said that we totally reject this MOU (cease fire agreement). It is clearly a threat to national security. Within the Alliance we have arrived at an agreement on this with the SLFP and other groups. We do not hope to carry forward the MOU (cease fire agreement) signed in secret by Ranil Wickremesinghe. We have stated through the Alliance Accord that the possibility exists for talks with the LTTE on the basis of fair conditions. Therefore we have already given attention to drafting and implementing a new Ceasefire Agreement which will properly ensure national security," Mr. Weerawansa told the Sunday Feb issue 15 "Lanka".

The JVP leader said his party totally rejects the Provincial Council system (which was created under the 13th Amendment and the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987).

"The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna has stated on every occasion that it rejects the system of Provincial Councils. Yet, the SLFP's stand is somewhat different. Within the Alliance, as on every matter, on the issue of the Provincial Council system too, the final solution will be an agreement between the two parties..." Mr. Weerawansa said. (Lanka, Sunday February 15, p. 09)