JNP leaders say the new party is an alternative to the SLFP and the UNP

Leader of the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP), Wimal Weerawansa, accused the major political parties of failing to find solutions to burning questions of Sri Lankan people.

Addressing the inaugural representatives meeting in Colombo the leaders of the newly formed JNP accused the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) of forgetting the basic foundations of the party.

Breakaway group

Insisting that the JNP is not an alternative to the JVP, Mr. Weerawansa urged JVP supporters to join the newly formed party.

It is the alternative to the two major political parties in Sri Lanka, Mr. Weerawansa said.

	Mr. Weerawansa (C) is the chairman and Nandana Gunathilake (R) is the Gen. Sec. of the JNP

The JNP, he said, will be committed to continue the pro-people policies “that was abandoned by the JVP”.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by President Rajapaksa and the United National Party (UNP) are the two major parties in the country.

Mr. Weerawansa and 11 other parliamentarians broke away from the JVP accusing the party of conspiring against JVP’s former parliamentary group leader.

The JNP leaders, including JVP’s former presidential candidate Nandana Gunathilake and former senior leader Kamal Deshapriya vowed to listen to the membership in taking decisions over crucial issues.

The JNP has chosen the crown as its symbol and the gold as the official colour.

Personnel from Ministerial Security Division (MSD) were employed to provide tight security to the venue, BBC’S Elmo Fernando who attended the event said.

Politicians and artistes including Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara, Renuka Balasuriya and Cyril Wickramage attended the meeting.