SLFP-JVP alliance imminent - Weerawanse

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 June 2003, 17:06 GMT]
The final phase of talks between the main opposition Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP) and Sinhala nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to forge an alliance in the name of Patriotic Peoples Front will be held Friday at the Presidential Secretariat, JVP propaganda secretary Mr.Vimal Weerawanse said Thursday.

According to Weerawanse, President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge is widely expected to attend the final round of talks, which is likely clear the way for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parities to form an alliance.

Talks between the two opposition parties (SLFP and JVP), which have a total parliamentary strength of about ninety MPs, began several months earlier. During the later stage of the talks difference of opinion arose between the leaders of the two parties in allocating positions in the new alliance, political sources said

The JVP is said to have earlier demanded the post of general secretary of the new alliance. But senior members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party did not accept that demand, sources said.

According to SLFP sources, Mr.Anura Bandaranaike is tipped to be the general secretary of the new alliance.