JVP says signing the P-TOMS was an 'sinful act'

Attacking the joint mechanism (JM) with the Tamil Tigers to share tsunami relief aid, JVP parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa said that although the PM had voiced no opinion, he was also party to a 'sinful act'.

JVP leader Somawansa Amerasinghe told a press conference in Colombo that the JM was 'much more dangerous' than the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA).

The United National Party (UNP) government led by Ranil Wickramesinghe signed the CFA with Tamil Tigers in early 2002.

'Muslims guilty'

JVP cautioned that the Tamil Tigers are allowed to whatever they like alongside the coastal areas in the northeast.

The JVP leader said that Muslim parties and the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) are also guilty by being partners of a government that sanctioned the JM.

'Prime Minister Rajapkse cannot wash his hands'

The JVP resigned from the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government on 16 June protesting the deal to share tsunami relief aid.

However, the JVP formed a 'probational rule' in Western Provincial Council (WPC) with the Peoples Alliance (PA) in order to "prevent the main opposition United National Party (UNP) coming into power".

The government and the LTTE signed the JM, renamed as Post Tsunami Operational Management structure (P-TOMS) on Friday.

The deal was internationally praised. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said it was an 'important day' for the tsunami-hit nation.