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| Devolution
ignored in SLFP-JVP alliance President Chandrika Kumaratunga's proposal to keep out the crucial national question from their electoral pact to defeat the UNF government has been accepted by the JVP, negotiators for the two opposition parties confirmed last night. The vexed issue
of how much power should be devolved in a future peace deal with
the LTTE, was the one last issue that prevented the SLFP-JVP deal
being signed. PA spokesman Sarath Amunugama who is drafting the policy framework of the alliance said that the question of leadership, officials committees and alliance structure was to be decided today. The planning committee drafting the MoU between the two parties is working on a national plan to be put into effect after they form a government. The MoU, however, will need to be studied by President Kumaratunga and put for approval to the SLFP central committee, party sources said, adding that there was some concern among senior SLFPers that the use of the 'hand' symbol had to be considered very carefully. These sources said that once the SLFP's 'hand' symbol was used by the SLFP-JVP alliance, the SLFP would be unable to win it back, were the alliance to fail. One of the suggestions has been to have the 'hand' symbol in red, the colour of the Marxist JVP. Both teams are also working on a name for the alliance. While the JVP has suggested 'Desha Hitheshi Jathika Sanvidanaya' (Nations Patriotic National Movement -NPNM), others are suggesting a name that will be, in the Sinhala alphabet, above the UNF - Eksath Jathika Peramuna. Meanwhile, one of the key players in the negotiations, Mangala Samaraweera has been entrusted with consulting astrologers and fixing an auspicious time and day for the launch of the coalition. |
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