Chandrika’s party not for ‘hasty’ interim govt

It said the President and Prime Minister should seek to persuade the LTTE to enter into talks on the core issues to arrive at a lasting settlement first. The party said: ‘‘We oppose talks on the formation of an interim administration before the above is done. An interim administration should be formed only after reaching a final settlement of the problem of the minorities.’’

It affirmed its support to the peace initiatives, but laid down a condition that harassment and imprisonment of SLFP and PA activists be stopped and the pivotal role of the President in the peace process be recognised by the Premier. The party also said it would oppose any subjugation of the administration to the LTTE’s single-party dominance. It alleged Kumaratunga was being ignored in the peace process which was going on without taking into account the view of the main Opposition party.

Meanwhile, in a new twist to the mid-sea drama that led to the navy stopping LTTE boats on April 24, the Tigers on Friday claimed that it took place because of a communication gap for which overseas ceasefire monitors had accepted responsibility.