PA-UNP talks today

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, AUG. 24. The People's Alliance (PA) Government and the Opposition United National Party (UNP) will meet on Saturday for discussions on ways to end the present political turmoil in the country, including possibly a power-sharing agreement.

An official release said the President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, had named a six-member team for the discussions.

The Government announcement came a day after the leader of the Opposition, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, accepted an invitation from the Prime Minister, Mr. Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, for talks with the PA on a ``constructive agreement'' for governance.

Agreeing to Mr. Wickremesinghe's demand that the talks be held within a specified time-frame, the Government had fixed the talks for three days beginning Saturday, the state-run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation announced.

The discussions will take place against the background of unsuccessful attempts by the PA Government to put together a majority before Parliament reconvenes on September 7.

The UNP has laid down tough conditions for co- operating with the Government, including the resummoning of Parliament. It has said its priorities are to implement reforms in governance, and that talks with the PA should be based on this.

The six members of the PA delegation for the discussions are Mr. D.M. Jayaratne, Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse, Mr. Anuruddha Ratwatte, Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, and Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar, all Cabinet ministers.

The four members of the UNP delegation are its deputy leader, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya, Mr. Tyronne Fernando, MP, Mr. K.N. Choksy, its legal expert, and party chairman, Mr. Charitha Ratwatte.

They are to meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

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Section  : International
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