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SLFP, JVP to settle for loose alliance
By Harinda Vidanage
The SLFP and the JVP in a bid to salvage nine months of talks are to settle for a loose alliance minus any electoral arrangement like a non contest pact, informed sources said. They said both parties hoped to complete the talks on this national alliance before September 30.

SLFP's General Secretary, Maithripala Sirisena said there would be no structural or electoral alliance and thus there would be no need for positions or party symbols. Instead the main aim of the new alliance would be to oust the UNF government.

He said the alliance would be on the same lines as the Memorandum of Understanding between the PA and the JVP in the months before the collapse of the Kumaratunga government in 2001.

He said the JVP at the last meeting presided over by President Chandrika Kumaratunga had pledged full support to oust the UNF government but also asked for another draft on the principles of the new alliance.

The alliance talks were revived by the SLFP after some of its members urged the President that this may be the only way to topple the government though other SLFPers were complaining about JVP infiltration and hijacking of members at lower ranks.

Among those pushing for an alliance are Anura Bandaranaike who vowed at last Thursday's JVP rally that the UNF government would be toppled within six months.
Several frontline SLFPers were on stage at the massive JVP rally after they obtained permission from the President telling her they felt their presence at the rally was necessary.

As part of the moves to come together and also win media support, the SLFP and the JVP are to mark World Media Freedom Day next Monday with a joint demonstration outside the Fort Railway station.

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