JVP backing for Mahinda

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday pledged its support to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, the SLFP candidate, at the forthcoming Presidential Poll.

Addressing a news conference in Colombo, JVP Leader Somawansa Amerasinghe said his party has decided to back Prime Minister Rajapakse after several rounds of extensive discussions.

Amerasinghe said many of their demands would be incorporated in his election manifesto due to be released shortly. A formal agreement will be signed in the net few days.

"We have agreed to support the candidature of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse for the presidency," Amarasinghe said. "We will sign the 12-point agreement in five to six days."

He said they believed Rajapakse was the only candidate who could protect the integrity of the country.

"The Prime Minister agreed to our 12-point policy statement, which was key for our support," Tilvin Silva, JVP General Secretary, told the news conference.

"We will not field a candidate of our own now and we consider the Prime Minister's acceptance of our policy agreement to be a victory for all patriotic people," he added.

"We will extend our fullest support for his victory."