Government's coalition partner JVP's leader is a co-chairman of the PNM

Voicing strong opposition to proposed tsunami mechanism (JM) between the government and the Tamil Tigers for tsunami reconstruction, the Patriotic National Movement (PNM) said they are against giving legitimacy to the LTTE.

“There is a strong public anger contrary to the president’s remarks. We challenge the government to go for a referendum,” Elle Gunawansa thero, co-chairman of the PNM told BBC Sandeshaya (BBC Sinhala).

The leading Buddhist monk was commenting on President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s statement that at least 80 per cent of Sri Lanka’s population supports a negotiated settlement with Tamil Tigers.

The PNM is not opposing supplying relief to Tamil people in the north east. We are only asking the government to adhere to democratic principals PNM

He accused the Tamil Tigers for the murder of Major Tuwan Nizam Muthalif, a senior commander of the intelligence wing of the Sri Lanka Army, on Tuesday.

The PNM, in which Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s (JVP) parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa is the co-chairman, said they do not object elected MPs from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) taking part in the proposed machinery.

Tamil Tigers did not contest the general elections held last year. The LTTE supported TNA candidates instead.

“The PNM is not opposing supplying relief to Tamil people in the north east. We are only asking the government to adhere to democratic principals.”