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President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are expected to meet later this week according to a media communiqu, issued yesterday by the Presidential Secretariat.

This belied media speculations that the consultative process between the two leaders had broken down following the release of a fresh set of proposals by the President addressed to the Prime Minister.

These proposals envisaged inter alia the establishment of a Joint Peace Council co-chaired by the President and the Prime Minister, the appointment of a Minister Assisting Defence from the UNF who would handle peace related defence matters, the establishment of an Independent Governing Council for all state media on the BBC model and a moratorium on political crossovers. Not only had the Officials Committee appointed by the two leaders for the purpose of finding ways and means of working together on key national issues including the peace process met yesterday, it had also decided to continue its work.

The press communique, issued by the Presidential Secretariat said: "The Committee comprising Mano Tittawella, Senior Advisor to the President, Malik Samarawickrema, Chairman UNP and Bradman Weerakoone, Secretary to the Prime Minister met as scheduled on Monday, December 1, 2003 at 10.30 a.m at the Prime Minister's Office, Temple Tees.

"It was agreed that the Committee would continue its work exploring the areas of agreement between the two parties. In regard to the points of difference, it was agreed that further time would be necessary to seek resolution.

"As earlier planned, the President and the Prime Minister are expected to meet later in the week to formalize areas of agreement."

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