JVP leaves Govt with regret

BY CHAMIKARA Weerasinghe

JANATHA VIMUKTHI PERAMUNA (JVP) Leader Somawansa Amarasinghe yesterday declared that it was with regret that his party decided to leave the Alliance Government but added that the parties could yet come to an understanding. The JVP will sit in Parliament as an Independent group, he said.

"We are leaving at time when most of our work programme is yet to see fruition," Amarasinghe told a media briefing at the Public Library Service Auditorium. Amarasinghe said: "This is not the first Alliance nor would it be the last between PA and JVP. There can be understanding between the two parties even after this," he explained.

Amarasinghe said that their action was prompted by President Kumaratunga's unwillingness to withdraw the proposed Tsunami Relief Council despite their request to stall the process by midnight of June 15.

JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa said the JVP was not a party to take decisions carried away by emotion. "We take decisions following deliberations on what is best for the country," he said.

Speaking on the JVP's immediate plans, Amarawansa said they would remain in Parliament as an independent group.

He noted that the Government will have to face the consequences of our being not present in the coalition when they sit with the Opposition in Parliament and in Provincial Councils from now on.

Asked if the JVP was prepared to take the responsibility of making the country unstable at a time the Government was making an important move for its forward march, Amarawansa said there should be a country even to have it unstable.

"The JVP is not prepared to negotiate the country's sovereignty ,integrity and independence," he said.

He said that the JVP was taking steps to form a new coalition with the participation of other political parties. Asked if their decision to leave the Government had paved the way for the UNP to come into power, Amarawansa said that the political fabric of the country had changed so much so that UNP cannot force its way into political power.

The so-called structure of regional committees consisting LTTE members, has given the upper hand to the LTTE, and this can adversely affect the system.

JVP General Secretary Tylvin Silva, Nandana Gunatilleke, and K.D. Lalkantha also spoke.