Bipartisan talks make progress
Four top officials appointed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are working out a consensus on the defence, the peace process, the economy and ‘good governance’ informed sources said.

They said the committee comprising UNP chairman Malik Samarawickreme, the Prime Minister's Secretary Bradman Weerakoon, Presidential advisor Mano Tittawella and Secretary W. J. S. Karunaratne held several rounds of talks and would submit a report soon.

To work out a consensus, the committee is being advised by South African expert I. Ibrahim, a former intelligence chief and now senior advisor to the Vice President there.

Mr Ibrahim had shared with both parties the South African experience of building consensus in a diverse political setup, the sources said. Mr. Ibrahim is also scheduled to meet the President and the Prime Minister.

But the JVP has come out strongly against any national consensus between the UNF and the PA. Propaganda Chief Wimal Weerawansa yesterday warned the President that any link-up with the UNF would pave the way for the LTTE to form a separate state.

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