The Hindu : SLFP to ally with JVP based on principles

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 18, 2004

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International

SLFP to ally with JVP based on principles

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO, JAN. 17. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said its proposed alliance with the left-radical Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) would be based on "five basic principles'' relating to the ethnic conflict, foreign policy, economy, culture and human rights and democracy. The alliance, according to the SLFP spokesperson, Sarath Amunugama, "will be a re-affirmation of the radical centre in Sri Lanka.'' He described the proposed pact between the two parties, to be signed on January 20, as "a working arrangement between two political parties'' in the nature of a "social democratic alliance,'' which would work towards forming a Government "after elections.''

Dr. Amunugama declined to give details of the agreement reached between the two parties, which were known to have opposing views on several issues, particularly with regard to the conflict resolution. But another SLFP leader told The Hindu that "the JVP has agreed'' to the SLFP's position on all issues, but declined to elaborate.

On the controversy over the "second swearing-in ceremony'' of the Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, after she won a second term of office on December 22, 1999, a year before her first term ended, Dr. Amunugama said "it is irrelevant'' as to when and how the President took her oath the second time.

Dr. Amunugama said he was unable to give the date of the second swearing-in ceremony, which he described as "a routine matter.'' Another SLFP leader, Mangala Samaraweera, who was a former Media Minister and Cabinet spokesman, said he was unable to recollect the date of the second swearing-in ceremony, which the President told over national TV earlier this week had taken place in the presence of the Chief Justice, Sarath N. Silva, the then Presidential Secretary and the then Foreign Affairs Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar.

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SLFP to ally with JVP based on principles