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Malik-Mano talks collapsing?
A reportedly leaked document from President Chandrika Kumaratunga's office detailing proposals on reaching consensus with the UNF government on national issues has taken the government by surprise as the proposals differed from what has been discussed by a committee appointed by the two sides.

The Sunday Times learns that some of the proposals reportedly made in the document by the President which appeared in the dailies yesterday had not come up for discussion during the talks of the official level committee representing the two sides.

The Government yesterday tried to contact Presidential Advisor and Committee member Mano Tittawella to clarify matters, but failed to get in touch.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who returned from an official visit to Mawanella last evening is due to discuss the government's strategy with UNP chairman and committee member Malik Samarawickrama today.

The official level committee, better known as the (Malik) Samarawickrama-(Mano) Tittawella committee, met late this week, but there were no indications that President Kumaratunga was coming out with a different set of proposals.

In a separate set of proposals, not published in newspapers, plans to nominate Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse as a Minister Assisting Defence, Interior and Mass Communications have also been communicated to the PM's office.

President Kumaratunga also had proposed the creation of a Joint Peace Council co-chaired by the President and the Prime Minister to oversee and manage the peace process and the council to be supported by an Advisory Council on Peace.

The President proposed that the Advisory Council on Peace should consist of representatives from all political parties, professionals, clergy and other national groups. But, the discussions between the two sides at the official level committee were centred on looking at ways and means to solve the constitutional crisis triggered off by the takeover of three key ministerial portfolios.

In the wake of the new developments, a scheduled meeting between the President and the Prime Minister was also doubtful, government sources said. The official level talks were also now shaky in the wake of the new developments.

The latest developments follow the PA's voting against the Budget in parliament this week, contrary to an earlier understanding to abstain from voting. The PA action cast a shadow over the consensus committee deliberations, the Govt. sources said.
The PA had initially planned to walk out when the Budget vote was to be taken but later decided to vote against it.

The PA move came as the Samarawickrama-Tittawella committee had reached agreement on the date of printing the government gazette, announcing the handing back of certain ministry portfolios by the President. But Mr. Tittawella later informed Mr Samarawickrama that the President had changed her decision.

According to UNF sources, the party fears a possible dissolution of parliament by the President if the communication channels between the two parties break down.
The Sunday Times learns that Kumaratunga strongman Mangala Samaraweera had waged a personal campaign to woo Presidential advisors to change their thinking on forming a national government.

Mr. Samaraweera has had one-to-one meetings with Mr. Tittawella, Tara De Mel and P.B. Jayasundara and submitted reports, warning of a possible break-up of the SLFP if the issue of national consensus government is pursued even in its temporal configuration.

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