JHU says the government should reveal the JM to the parliament

Parliamentary group leader of Jathika Hela urumaya (JHU) Athuraliye Rathana thero told BBC Sandeshaya (BBC Sinhala) that, however, the government has to reveal the details to the parliament before signing it.

Omalpe Sobhitha thero, deputy leader of the Sinhala nationalist JHU has stated a fast unto death in Kandy demanding a guarantee from President Kumaratunga that the JM would not be signed.

Mahanayakes intervention

Rathana thero said that the party nominated Sobitha thero for the fast in Budhhists’ sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy.

The party is demanding the four Buddhist Mahanayakes get a guarantee from the President that the agreement would not be signed.

Indian leaders expressed support for the proposed mechanism during a visit to India by President Kumaratunga last week.

However, the Indian newspapers said the approval was given under the condition that the other Tamil parties, apart from the LTTE, are also represented in the proposed body.

President Kumaratunga has pledged to sign the agreement even if that means she loses parliamentary majority.

Government’s coalition partner Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is threatening to resign from the government if the JM is established.