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| Opposition
alliance to widen
The People's Alliance will be represented by General Secretary D.M Jayaratne at the next meeting scheduled for February 6. Mr. Jayaratne told The Sunday Times that he will represent the PA at meetings. The agenda for the discussions is yet to be finalized as they were yet to brief the PA members on the proposed PA-JVP talks. All discussions that took place so far have been informal talks between the JVP and the SLFP, with only one formal discussion held earlier this week. The two parties are looking forward to form a common agenda to oust the UNF government and form a new government without going for elections. LSSP General Secretary Batty Weerakoon whose party is a constituent of the PA told the Sunday Times that his party was not aware of a PA representation in these discussions. He also said it was only possible after getting approval through an executive committee meeting of the PA. Meanwhile the JVP has stepped up its work to formulate a broader alliance with the People's Alliance by holding separate meetings with some key members. It has held extensive discussions with Anura Bandaranaike who himself has stepped up his involvement in party matters. The JVP has also held a separate meeting with Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar who is a senior advisor to the President, exclusively on the issue of the ethnic problem and the possible stand the two parties can take. The main areas for discussion at the JVP-PA discussion will be on the organization of joint political activities aimed at toppling the UNF government and formulating a framework incorporating public demonstrations, said a source close to the negotiating parties. The JVP is due to hand over the plan setting out its strategy, which was a key issue in forming an alliance with the PA, to the President on February 1. However, the drafts are still being scrutinized by Somawansa Amerasinghe, the JVP leader based in London. |
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