JVP says it is ready to put the country before the government

JVP’s Parliamentary group leader of the JVP Wimal Weerawansa said the party is ready to put the country before the government.

Making a special statement in the parliament, he also heavily criticised President Chandrika Kumaratunga for her attempts to establish a joint mechanism (JM) with the Tamil tigers for tsunami reconstruction.

Weerawansa said the president is creating a political instability in the country as a result.

Describing president’s action as “arbitrary”, he said Kumaratunga has never discussed the matter with the government’s coalition partner, though she has finalised the draft in consultation with the LTTE and Norway.

The Buddhist monks accused President Kumaratunga of running the country like a dictator (photo Elmo Fernando)

The president has pledged to sign the deal with the Tigers, even if that means she losing parliamentary majority.

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

India's support

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.

JVP backed National Bhikku Front (NBF) neanwhile has commenced a fast opposite Fort Railway Station in Colombo against the proposed mechanism.

The Buddhist monks accused President Kumaratunga of ruling the country like a dictator.

Speaking with BBC Sandeshaya (BBC Sinhala), media secretary of the NBF Vakamulle Uditha thero said the history has proved that many dictators had ultimately listen to peoples’ verdict.

JHU fast

The monk warned the fast will become a fast unto death if Kumaratunga do not listen to their protest.

Sinhala nationalist all-monk party Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said parliamentarian Omalpe Sobhitha thero’s health is deteriorating.

Kandy district MP Udawatte Nanda thero told BBC Sandeshaya that party’s senior leader Sobhitha thero, who is staging a fast unto death in Buddhist’s most sacred Temple of the Tooth, is only having water for two days.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse visited Sobhitha thero on Tuesday night, the parliamentarian said.

Rajapakse has told the protesting monk that he was not aware of the details of the proposed mechanism.

Nanda thero also accused President Kumaratunga of being 'a dictator'.