Ex-rebels’ party to support Rajapaksa

Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikkal (TMVP), the LTTE rebel group-turned-political party, has formally joined the All-Parties Representative Committee (APRC) constituted by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to find a solution to the ethnic conflict.

The TMVP was invited to join the APRC by its chairman Tissa Vitharana, after its impressive performance during the election, held in May, in the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC).

Minister Vitharana said the TMVP had nominated Batticaloa Mayor Sivageetha Prabhakaran to represent it at the APRC. The committee is expected to meet next week.

The APRC has not been convened for a while after the Jathika Hela Urumaya and Mahajana Eksath Peramuna suspended their participation pending the accommodation of the TMVP in the committee, said Mr. Vitharana.

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http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/15/stories/2008071555551300.htm

APRC to include TMVP JHU, MEP to continue with proceedings

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has responded positively to the inclusion of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC).

With this new development the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna and the Jathika Hela Urumaya, the parties which insisted on the participation of the TMVP at the APRC have withdrawn their boycott and decided to continue with the APRC proceedings from this week, Minister of Science and Technology and Chairman of the All Party Representative Committee Prof. Tissa Vitharana said.

Prof. Vitharana told the Sunday Observer that one-and-a-half months ago the Jathika Hela Urumaya and Mahajana Eksath Peramuna kept away from the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) proceedings for not including the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), the breakaway party from the LTTE to the APRC.

“However, I brought this matter to the attention of the President who decides on the parties that represent the APRC.

Following the performance of the TMVP at the local government polls and thereafter at the Provincial Council polls in the eastern province the President took a positive stance with regard to the participation of the TMVP at the APRC sessions.

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http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/06/01/pol01.asp

Govt. denies offering Chief Minister post to Pillaiyan

The government yesterday denied claims that it had offered to appoint TMVP leader Pillaiyan as the Chief Minister of East.

General Secretary of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance,

Minister Susil Premajayantha said "We have not offered the Chief Minister-ship to anyone. We will take a decision on it only after the elections to the Eastern Provincial council are completed."

He said at an SLFP Central Committee meeting presided over by President Mahinda Rajapaksa a decision had been taken that all political parties in the Alliance Government would contest under the single banner of the UPFA and the betel symbol. "I have written to several parties, including the JVP and the SLMC inviting them to join us and to contest under one banner and senior Advisor to the President Basil Rajapaksa had discussed this with the SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem a few days ago.

All the party leaders in the alliance, the Mahajhana Eksath Peramuna, Communist Party, Lanka Sama Samaja Party, Mahajhana Pakshaya, Jathika Hela Urumaya, National Unity Alliance and the All Ceylon Muslim Congress,were expected to meet yesterday afternoon to decide on the number of slots for each constituent party.

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http://www.island.lk/2008/03/25/news1.html

Government wins Budget 2008 by majority of 47

The budget vote which generated much tension finally turned out to be an anti-climax with the Government securing a comfortable majority of 47.

The voting commenced today around 5.00p.m by name for and against the budget. There were 114 votes for the Budget and 67 against it. The JVP abstained from voting.

The UNP (Democratic Group), Jathika Hela Urumaya, Upcountry People's Front, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna and the Ceylon Workers' Congress voted for the budget while the UNP (Ranil Group), Tamil National Alliance and the Western Province People's Front voted against it.

Earlier in the day, veteran politician Anura Bandaranaike crossed over to the opposition benches.

Subsequent to the vote, Minister D.M. Jayaratne said that the Government will defeat terrorism and develop the country:

"Today we have emerged victorious on the 2008 budget and we will not hesitate to defeat terrorism and to carry forward our development programme," Mr.Jayarathne told www.news.lk.

Although SLMC’s Rauff Hakeem stirred up controversy with his crossover on Wednesday, with the UNP claiming that others in the Government will break ranks at today's vote, the Government mustered a comfortable 114 votes, sufficient to secure a majority even if the JVP had voted against the budget.

Wijedasa Rajapaksa, who crossed over to the opposition but abstained from voting at the second reading, opted to do the same today as well.

Wimal Weerawansa, Propaganda Secretary of the JVP, addressing parliament said that his party was not ready to be anyone's catspaw and makes decisions in the best interest of the country and the people.

Meanwhile Chief Government Whip, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told www.news.lk that it was the LTTE and no one else that was behind moves to defeat the budget. "It was obviously an attempt to reverse the victories achieved by the security forces in the Eastern Province,

Extracted from,
http://news.lk/index.php?option=com

Malwatte Mahanayake Thero snubs –storm is gathering for Ranil in his political horizon

Sri Lanka’s foremost Buddhist monk, the Head of the Malwatte Chapter of the Siamese Sect, regretted the recent statement made by Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the United National Party, calling Buddhist monks ‘a corrupt company or “Dussila Samagama” and said no service could be expected out of such leaders to the country, the religion and the Buddhist monks in the future.’

“Some leaders who do not know the value of Buddhist monks over a simple matter, publicly call Buddhist monks a “Dussila Samagama” and I regret such words being used against the Buddhist monks,” said the most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala, head of the Malwatte Chapter of the Siyam Nikaya in an obvious reference to Ranil Wickremesinghe.

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http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6742

Tilak K. steps down

UNP Treasurer Tilak Karunaratne yesterday resigned from all posts he held in the party protesting against alleged remarks made by the party leadership regarding the JHU monks and the Thoppigala military victory.

Mr. Karunaratne, a one time JHU strongman, sent his resignation to party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe announcing his resignation from the post of treasurer and from the Working Committee, Administrative Committee, Management Committee and the Religious Affairs Committee.It was also reported that he had problems with the party leadership regarding the appointment of organizers to Bandaragama and Panadura electorates, and the recent tie-up with the SLFP (Mahajana) wing.

Mr. Wickremesinghe’s last minute bid to prevent Mr. Karunaratne from resigning from the party failed despite a meeting between the two last evening.

Sources also said Mr.Karunaratne was to leave the country last night on a short holiday. Unconfirmed reports said Mr. Wickremesinghe had not yet accepted his resignation.

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http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/07/28/front/1.asp

Anti-ceasefire application: Leave granted

The Supreme Court yesterday granted special leave for the applications filed by JHU, JVP and the Sinhala Maha Sabawa against the Court of Appeal order that rejected issuing notices on former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, then Cabinet Ministers and LTTE leader Prabhakaran in connection with writ application filed challenging the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement between Ranil Wickremesinghe and LTTE.

The Supreme Court Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva (PC), Supreme Court Justice Andrew M. Somawansa and Supreme Court Justice Jagath Balapatabendi.

JHU, JVP and the Sinhala Maha Sabawa filed a writ application before the Court of Appeal on March 4, 2002 challenging the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement between Wickremesinghe and the LTTE.

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http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/07/28/news23.asp

JHU to demand Rs. 2.5 bn from Ranil

The Jathika Hela Urumaya is planning to claim Rs. 2.5 billion as damages from Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe for what the party saw as defamation of its five Parliament members.

Dismissing Mr. Wickremesinghe’s recent accusation that JHU leaders had sold their luxury vehicle permits to outsiders, the party’s Legal Advisor Udaya Gammanpila said MPs could not sell vehicle permits given to them for five years.

He said none of the JHU members used the luxury vehicles imported. Thus, JHU Leader Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera, Ven. Omalpe Sobhita Thera, Ven. Kotapola Amarakitti Thera, Ven. Aturaliye Ratana Thera and Minister Champika Ranawaka would send letters of demand claiming Rs 500 million each.

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http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/07/18/front/07.asp