JVP and JHU sign agreements with Premier
 

by Rohan Mathes and Chamikara Weerasinghe

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Prime Minister and SLFP Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse and the JVP, will be signed today at 11.00 am at Temple Trees.

Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera told the Daily News that they are glad to get back the JVP which left them. They are re-joining their fold again to consolidate and ensure a resounding victory for their Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse.

JVP leader Somawansa Amerasinghe was reported has said their party had decided to back Mahinda Rajapakse following a series of extensive talks with him. Many of their demands which have been included in a 12-point agreement is believed to be incorporated in his election manifesto due to be released shortly.

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) too will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Rajapakse next week extending its support to the premier at the Presidential Election.

JHU leader Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Mahanayaka Thera said the MoU will be signed between Rajapakse and the JHU on September 13. It will be signed in Kandy which will be followed by a visit to Sri Dalada Maligawa by the Premier and the JHU Bhikkus.

"This MoU does not signify any political alliance with Rajapakse's party. It will be an MoU between Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapakse and the JHU," said Ven. Medhananda Mahanayaka Thera.

He was addressing a press conference yesterday by the JHU at Seruwila Buddhist Centre in Colombo, to announce the party's decisions ahead of the Presidential Election. Ven. Medhananda Thera said they decided to support Rajapakse after discussions where the Premier agreed to the 12 policies presented by the JHU. "The 12 principles proposed by the JHU are acceptable to all communities as they advocate protecting the people's religious and human rights with an aim to create a peaceful country where all communities live in peace without any fear," said the Thera.

"We had discussions with Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who did not accept our primary principles but talked on the lines of a "federal solution" to resolve the country's armed conflict. His stance was however not clear in terms of protecting the country's unitary state."