JVP and PM talks on 20A conclude; UNP agreeable to abolishing executive presidency but needs to discuss with UNF

Today's (Mar 22) talks between the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the leaders of the United National Party (UNP) on the 20th Amendment concluded at the Prime Minister's Office in the Parliamentary complex a short while ago.

The meeting was attended by JVP Leader MP Anura Dissanayake who led the JVP delegation along with MP Vijitha Herath and Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. 

The UNP delegation was led by party leader and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe along with MP Malik Samarawickrema. Minister Kabir Hashim  was due to attend the discussions, however, was unable to do so owing to an unexpected funeral.

At the conclusion of talks it was revealed that the UNP was agreeable as a policy on the abolition of the excutive presidency and a resolution to that effect was passed at the last party meeting. However, the UNP said that the matter needed to be discussed with those parties in the United National Front.

Addressing the media following discussion, the JVP said they felt that the talks were fruitful and that the future measures on moving forward with these discussions would depend on the response from the UNP.