JVP 'did not want to insult Sri Lanka in front of foreigners'

“We condemn attacking those oppose her opinion in front of the international community,” JVP said in a statement.

The statement said the party did not attempt to counter her accusations in Sri Lanka Development Forum (SLDF) as “the JVP did not want to insult Sri Lanka in front of foreigners”.

In an apparent attack on the JVP, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said “a vociferous minority” cannot stop peace moves.

Joint Mechanism

Opening the SLDF in Kandy on Monday she said “a vociferous minority cannot be allowed to hinder the forward march of a nation towards peace and economic prosperity”.

The JVP has restated its opposition to a joint mechanism between the government and the Tamil tigers for tsunami reconstruction.

We are against any joint mechanism that grants legality to anti-democratic LTTE JVP

“We are against any joint mechanism that grants legality to anti-democratic LTTE.”

But the donors were optimistic that the proposed joint mechanism would be set up soon.

Talking to journalists after the conclusion of the two day proceedings, World Bank's vice president for South Asia, Praful Patel said, "I am much more confident now after having heard President’s cast-iron commitment".

The statement has also praised the international donors including the World Bank for offering Sri Lanka grants and loans “without pre-conditions.”

Finance Minister Sarath Amunugama said Sri Lanka Development Forum has pledged three billion dollars as aid to Sri Lanka and funds would be available within the next three to four years.

“Almost 90% of the aid pledged is grants," deputy finance minister Ranjith Siymaplaya told journalists.