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Signing P-TOMS a sinful act by Govt., says JVP
The JVP spelling out details as to why it opposed the P-TOMS agreement said that they were not clear as to who would be implementing the proposed agreement and were also opposed to multilateral agencies playing a role in controlling the funds.

“This agreement between Chandrika and Prabhakaran is an irresponsible and bogus agreement. It does not indicate who will be in charge of implementing it. It is a piece of paper without an owner. We don’t even know who has signed it. We had information that the document will be signed during the debate, that is why I asked at the beginning whether it has been signed or not”, JVP parliamentary leader Wimal Weerawansa said. He said as there appeared to be no responsible answer the JVP was forced to protest leading to the chaotic scenes in the Chambers.

“This is not second to the CFA signed by Ranil and Prabhakaran. This is another move to give legitimacy to the LTTE claim for a separate state”, Mr. Weerawansa said.

“Clause 2 (f) of the agreement says that the CFA shall continue in full force and effect and nothing in this MOU shall be construed to prejudice or alter its terms in anyway. This is in contradiction to the MOU signed between the SLFP and the JVP where we agreed to change the shortcomings in the CFA”, he said.

“There is a provision in 3 (b) for the parties by consensus to have the option to extend this MOU for an additional period or periods”, Mr. Weerawansa pointed out.

“The LTTE has got five representatives in the regional body while the GOSL has two and Muslims have three but the LTTE will have their nominee as the Chairman while the Government person will be the Deputy. Can any self-respecting government nominees sit in a committee headed by an LTTE member”, he asked.

“The Muslims are the only ethnic group that has a representation while it is assumed that the LTTE will represent the Tamils and the GOSL the Sinhalese. This is what the LTTE wants to show that the GOSL only represents the Sinhalese”, Mr. Weerawansa said.

“There is a reference to the multi-lateral agency to be the custodian of the regional fund while the Finance Ministry or the Treasury has no role in it. This is a violation of the Constitution”, he said.

“There is also room for multi-lateral donor representatives. This is to hand out the sovereignty of the country, especially the north and east to foreign agencies”, he said.

“It is a black day in the history of this country. This has proved that our decision to quit the government was the correct decision. If we were a part of the government when this sinful act took place, there would have been no escape for us. It is unfortunate that we had to live through the times when two of the greatest betrayals of the country took place – the CFA and the JM”, Mr. Weerawansa added.

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