The United National Front (UNF) and the People’s Alliance (PA) meeting after days of bitter battle jointly decided to summon parliament early next week, ahead of the previously scheduled January 1, 2002.

Parliament is scheduled to meet on December 18 at 10.00 am. There was some confusion however as the release from the Presidential Secretariat gave the date as being December 17, on which day Ramazan falls. It said that the President had decided to convene parliament ahead of the original date on representations made by the PA and the JVP.

The two parties which met under a peace banner at Temple Trees, the official residence of the Prime Minister on Monday , decided to hold ongoing meetings at regular intervals to identify matters of national interest, including the peace process, and to effect necessary electoral reforms to strengthen democracy. Concern was also raised on the post-election violence.

The UNP delegation was led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and included Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, Assistant Leader Gamini Athukorale, and K. N. Choksy, while the PA delegation led by former PM Ratnasiri Wickremanayake comprised of former ministers Lakshman Kadirgamar, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Mangala Samaraweera.

The full text of the statement jointly issued by the UNP and PA delegation is as follows:

A delegation of the United National Party led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met a delegation of the People’s Alliance nominated by Her Excellency the President on Monday 10th December for an initial discussion on matters of immediate national importance.

It was decided that action will be implemented forthwith by both parties at a political level to bring an end to the continuing incidence of post-election violence. It was agreed that directives will be given to all political organizers to ensure that party supporters desist from violence.

The delegation agreed that there will be ongoing meetings at regular intervals to identify and resolve matters of national concern, including the peace process.

Early steps will be taken, to examine and effect necessary electoral reforms that will strengthen democracy.

The early summoning of Parliament, prior to 1st January 2002, was also decided upon.

The delegation of the United National Party comprised the Prime Minister, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya, Deputy Leader, Mr. Gamini Athukorale, Assistant Leader and Mr. K. N. Choksy, P.C. while the delegation of the People’s Alliance comprised Mr. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Mr. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Mr. Mangala Samaraweera and Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar, P.C.