Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, better known as Karuna, yesterday met with former rival and present Eastern Provincial Council Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan.
The two men met to iron out differences as Karuna takes over the leadership of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) and launches a restructuring of the party.
The two, who met in Colombo, have appointed an executive committee to steer the TMVP’s future political campaign.
Following the meeting, Karuna told The Sunday Times that the discussion, which lasted five hours, ranged over a variety of party issues, including missed opportunities, charges against the party, and the TMVP’s future plans.
Karuna said the discussion also covered issues relating to the Eastern Provincial Council, and fears among council members that the council lacked funds to carry out their proposed programmes.
“It was decided that we propose to the government that a supplementary estimate be presented to parliament to allocate funds for the council,” Karuna said. “The chief minister will be seeking an early appointment with President Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss funding for the council.”
He said the TMVP will be meeting in August, and at the meeting another committee will be appointed to work at grassroots level to build up the party and boost its image.
The TMVP executive committee appointed yesterday comprises Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan (party leader); Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (deputy leader); Kumaraswamy Suppakumara alias Inaya Bharathi (secretary); Jeyam (treasurer), and Edwin Krishnanandarajha alias Pradeep Master (national organiser). | 
E-mail