Amerasinghe invited 'Jayasuriyas' in the UNP to join the new alliance

JVP leader Somawansa Amerasinghe called on “patriots” in the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to join with the JVP to “safeguard the united Sri Lanka.”

Addressing a JVP meeting in Polonnaruwa, he said though the majority including the many leaders are “patriotic” in the SLFP, he was not sure whether there were such leaders in the UNP.

He said it was the time for all “Jayasuriyas” in the UNP, if there was any, to come out and join them.

'Jayasuriyas'

Amerasinghe was referring to Gamini Jayasuriya, who resigned from the cabinet when former President JR Jayawardhane signed the Indo-Lanka agreement with former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Karu Jayasuriya is the current deputy leader of the UNP.

JVP is calling for 'all patriots' to form a new alliance

Announcing the creation of a new alliance to save the country from dividing, the JVP leader said historic Pollonnaruwa was the most suitable place for the birth of a new struggle.

However, journalist Raj Weerasinghe told BBC Sandeshaya that no other parties were represented in the meeting.

Amerasinghe expressed hope that the JVP would form its own government in the near future.

The JVP withdrew from the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) on Thursday objecting a proposed deal to share tsunami relief aid with the Tamil Tigers.

The JVP has 39 seats in Sri Lanka's parliament.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who now leads a minority government, has invited the JVP to come back and join the government.