|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Monday, 19 January 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| SLFP - JVP Alliance: All set for tomorrow's grand ceremony by a staff reporter Both parties - the SLFP and the JVP, are making final preparations for tomorrow's grand ceremony at the BMICH following the signing of the SLFP - JVP Memorandum of Understanding for working together on a concrete program of action. The Alliance would " resuscitate the country from the brink of catastrophe to which it had arrived due to the actions of the UNF Government during the last two years," said a spokesman of the SLFP. The spokesman also said that the Common Program will be based on five basic policies: development of the economy, solving the national question, preserving national culture, an independent foreign policy and strengthening democracy. Alliance sources indicated a significant shift in the policies of both the SLFP and the JVP towards Social Democracy. The SLFP is to shed some of its neo-liberal policies and pursue more independent social democratic ideals rather than relying on World Bank - IMF prescriptions in the development of the country. The JVP has modified some of its extremist positions, notably its anti-devolution stand and total opposition to globalization. As explained elsewhere in this page by Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of the JVP, it is ready to talk with LTTE leader Prabhakaran in order to arrive at a negotiated settlement of the ethnic issue within the parameters of a unified Sri Lanka. The strengthening of local entrepreneurs, farmers and other indigenous forces takes a central place in the Common Program, the Daily News understands. Consultations on the LTTE proposals on an Interim Self-Governing Authority (ISGA) chaired by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga during the last weekend also indicated that the Alliance means business when it declared its intention to discuss with the LTTE. Hitherto, influential sections of the SLFP had almost totally rejected the ISGA proposals. Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party and the Ceylon Workers' Alliance yesterday welcomed the formation of the SLFP - JVP Alliance. The new Alliance will also start discussions with other parties in the People's Alliance and other democratic forces in order to bring them all together in a grand alliance for a new path of development for Sri Lanka. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
