JVP seeks top post in coalition
By Harinda Vidanage
The JVP is demanding the top post in the proposed coalition with the SLFP, prompting the SLFP to create a new position with wide powers to accommodate President Chandrika Kumaratunga.

The JVP is reported to be unwilling to accept a vice president's post as suggested earlier and is demanding that the post of coalition president be given to it. The JVP had earlier wanted the post of general secretary but with resistance from SLFP frontliners, the JVP later sought the creation of a powerful new post in the proposed alliance.

The demand came as the structure of the alliance was being finalised and the SLFP has now decided to concede the JVP's demand but create an equally powerful post for President Kumaratunga, party sources said.

The JVP also had made a demand that though the General Secretary in the party has the final say under election laws, such decisions in the new coalition should be taken by the General Secretary and the highest ranking JVPer in the coalition. The clause has already been incorporated into the draft agreement.

According to SLFP sources Anura Bandaranaike is tipped to be the General Secretary of the alliance. SLFPers supporting the move said he was being favoured as he was holding no prominent position in the party and as the JVP was also supportive of him.

Mr. Bandaranaike told the Sunday Times he was the person behind the building of this coalition and he attended JVP rallies though people in his own party were critical of his move.

Meanwhile Nandana Gunathilake is tipped to be named the JVP candidate for the post of president in the new coalition. This is based on the JVP policy that Tilvin Silva should confine himself to the General Secretary's position while Wimal Weerawansa will continue as JVP's Propaganda Secretary. Anura Dissanayake is the head of the political committee. The SLFP’s Mangala Samaraweera is tipped to be the treasurer of the new SLFP- JVP coalition.

Meanwhile Mr. Samaraweera has begun attending SLFP-JVP meetings from 16 June. Mr. Samaraweera said the policy agreement between the parties had been finalized and that the technical details were being discussed in the second round.
The SLFP sources said the President was hopeful that the deal could be signed by mid July.

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