News

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is to join the Government, after talks currently under way to formulate a Common Minimum Programme (CMP), are concluded.

Government and JVP leaders have already had three rounds of talks so far to work out areas that should be covered by the proposed CMP. It is expected to include a joint approach towards resolving the ethnic issue, dealing with the international community and tackling economic issues.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa led the Government side during the three rounds of talks held at “Temple Trees” on July 14, 19 and 20.

With him were SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena, Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Susil Premajayantha and Parliamentarian Dullas Allahapperuma.

The JVP team was headed by its leader Somawansa Amerasinghe and comprised General Secretary Tilvin Silva, Parliamentary Group leader Wimal Weerawansa and Anura Dissanayake.

President Rajapaksa made clear during the talks that the support and backing from the JVP, as a partner in the Government, would go a long way in achieving the ideals his Government stood for. JVP leader Amerasinghe made clear his party wanted to ensure that there was a clear cut programme of action agreed upon. Hence the move to agree on a Common Minimum Programme. Mr. Amerasinghe wants to go public with such a CMP at a news conference soon after an accord is reached during talks with President Rajapaksa and other Government leaders.

Although the issue of cabinet portfolios to the JVP members has still not been discussed, The Sunday Times learns that President Rajapaksa may offer them four ministries. A cabinet reshuffle that is to take effect after the Government and the JVP reaches accord on a CMP will see the emergence of 36 ministries, according to highly-placed government sources.

The next round of talks to reach finality on the CMP is to be held at Janadipathi Mandiraya. President Rajapaksa moved in there yesterday. This was after a pirith ceremony on Friday night followed by a dana yesterday.