rapa
02-14-2007, 04:24 PM
Amidst indications from President Rajapaksa that a patch up would be possible with the ousted ministers, former Minister Mangala Samaraweera held secret talks with the JVP in a bid to strike a political deal with it, hours after he flew back from Singapore.
Sources close to Mr. Samaraweera said former Agriculture Minister and JVP strongman, Anura Kumara Dissanayake called on Mr. Samaraweera around 8 pm and the meeting went on well past midnight.
When Mr. Dissanayake had first tried to reach Mr. Samaraweera`s Stanmore Crescent residence, he was prevented by a group of police personnel who had reportedly said they received orders from the top not to allow anyone other than family members into Mr. Samaraweera`s residence.
Having strongly protested, Mr. Dissanayake shouted that nobody could stop him from visiting a colleague, and the Police finally gave in.
Lengthy discussions between the two had centered on possibilities of forming an opposition alliance, comprising the three ousted ministers, the JVP, UNP and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).
A Samaraweera confidant, who recently earned the wrath of the President was requested to initiate negotiations with the TNA, sources said.
However no solid conclusions were reached at the end of the discussion as Mr. Dissanayake conveyed to the former minister that the JVP would not be in a comfortable position if it had to join hands with the UNP and the TNA ? two parties with opposing ideologies. But Mr. Dissanayake said the JVP was willing to co-operate with Mr. Samaraweera in his future political moves.
Just prior to the arrival of Mr. Dissanayake, Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi too had called on Mr. Samaraweera.
Meanwhile Petroleum Resources Minister, A. H.M Fowzie who also went to Stanmore Crescent last evening to see Disaster Relief Services Minister, Ameer Ali who was ill and Justice Minister Amarasiri Dodangoda, had been prevented from proceeding towards their houses by policemen who apparently jumped to the conclusion that he too was visiting Mr. Samaraweera.
Only once the angry Minister Fowzie made it clear that he had no intention of meeting Mr. Samaraweera, did police let him proceed.
Sources close to Mr. Samaraweera said former Agriculture Minister and JVP strongman, Anura Kumara Dissanayake called on Mr. Samaraweera around 8 pm and the meeting went on well past midnight.
When Mr. Dissanayake had first tried to reach Mr. Samaraweera`s Stanmore Crescent residence, he was prevented by a group of police personnel who had reportedly said they received orders from the top not to allow anyone other than family members into Mr. Samaraweera`s residence.
Having strongly protested, Mr. Dissanayake shouted that nobody could stop him from visiting a colleague, and the Police finally gave in.
Lengthy discussions between the two had centered on possibilities of forming an opposition alliance, comprising the three ousted ministers, the JVP, UNP and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).
A Samaraweera confidant, who recently earned the wrath of the President was requested to initiate negotiations with the TNA, sources said.
However no solid conclusions were reached at the end of the discussion as Mr. Dissanayake conveyed to the former minister that the JVP would not be in a comfortable position if it had to join hands with the UNP and the TNA ? two parties with opposing ideologies. But Mr. Dissanayake said the JVP was willing to co-operate with Mr. Samaraweera in his future political moves.
Just prior to the arrival of Mr. Dissanayake, Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi too had called on Mr. Samaraweera.
Meanwhile Petroleum Resources Minister, A. H.M Fowzie who also went to Stanmore Crescent last evening to see Disaster Relief Services Minister, Ameer Ali who was ill and Justice Minister Amarasiri Dodangoda, had been prevented from proceeding towards their houses by policemen who apparently jumped to the conclusion that he too was visiting Mr. Samaraweera.
Only once the angry Minister Fowzie made it clear that he had no intention of meeting Mr. Samaraweera, did police let him proceed.