JVP dissident parliamentarians meet Buddhist prelates

[TamilNet, Sunday, 20 April 2008, 05:05 GMT]
Eleven dissident parliamentarians of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led by Wimal Weerawanse Sunday morning paid homage to the Dalada Maligaawa in Kandy, capital of the central province for the first time after the split in the party. Later they met the Mahanayake Thera of Malwatte Chapter and Asgiriya Mahanayake Thera separately and explained their position in the current politics following the split in the JVP, reports from Kandy said.

Prelates are reported to have advised JVP dissident parliamentary group to resolve matters with the leadership of the JVP, to settle all disputes, and to extend support to the government, according to news reports aired by the state controlled Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) Sunday.

Meanwhile, the JVP central committee which met on Friday decided to appoint Bimal Ratnayake, Kurunagala district parliamentarian, as parliamentary group leader, and Sunil Handunetty, Colombo district parliamentarian, as party propaganda secretary.

Both appointments would come into effect with the ratification at the party national convention which is scheduled to be held on 27 April.

Wimal Weerawanse held both posts till he broke away from the party.

In the meantime, JVP sources said five MPs from the JVP dissident group are contemplating to rejoin the party.