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SLFP-JVP merger faces major snag
Whilst the SLFP and the JVP have reached accord on the policy that they would continue peace talks with the LTTE should they regain power one snag still remains.

The SLFP says a settlement to the ethnic conflict should be through its draft constitution, the one that was burnt by the UNP when they were in the opposition, but the JVP disagrees.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga has warned that the SLFP-JVP MoU would be cancelled in the event the JVP does not agree. ASLFP committee has already submitted a report to the President regarding the guidelines for the signing of the proposed MoU with the JVP.

Parliamentarian Nimal Siripala Silva, who is a member of this committee, said there are other crucial issues that should be addressed before the MoU is finalised.
He said that based on this report the two sides would meet on Friday to resolve contentious issues and finalise a draft MoU and a joint communique would be issued at a ceremony next month.

JVP propaganda secretary Wimal Weerawansa said that his party also believed that a final agreement would be finalised at Friday's meeting. The SLFP has appointed a committee to formulate a budgetary plan to be implemented under a new PA-JVP government.

The shadow budgetary committee is headed by PA strongman Mangala Samaraweera and the expertise will be provided by Treasury officials and the Ministry of Finance along with economic advisors to the President.

Meanwhile Anura Bandaranaike, who was the convenor of the People's Power demonstration which was held on the 10th of this month, said the SLFP-PA joint political action in the backdrop of the merger effort will continue with demonstrations on a provincial basis. They will be organized in Puttalam, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura.

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