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Oppn backs Lanka Prez on LTTE aid deal

Source:PTI
June 13, 2005 21:51 IST

Sri Lanka's main opposition on Monday gave President Chandrika Kumaratunga the green signal on the controversial aid sharing deal with the Liberation Of Tamil Tigers Eelam.

They assured that they will 'not try to topple the government' despite a ruling coalition partner threatening to quit over the issue.

Kumaratunga had a one-hour closed door meeting with opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss the political crisis amid escalating protests by Marxist-backed monks.

"What we understand is that the opposition will not rock the boat," a government source said.

There was no immediate reaction from the opposition, which declined to comment on the talks.

Official sources said Kumaratunga now had assurances that even if her main Marxist partner, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or People's Liberation Front quit the government as they had vowed on June 16, there was no danger of the government falling.

The government depends on 39 seats of the JVP, but even if the administration is reduced to a minority, there is no need for an early election unless the main opposition wants it.

Political sources said that the opposition was clear that it did not want to force an early election over the issue of sharing aid with the Tamil tigers.

The JVP on the other hand is opposed to Kumaratunga's plan to enter into a joint mechanism to disburse millions of dollars in aid for tsunami survivors.

Also read:

Lanka crisis over tsunami aid
Chandrika's main ally threatens to pull out
Source: PTI
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