by Franklin R. Satyapalan
The SLFP is returning to its former PA roots following the breakdown of talks to form an alliance with the JVP, party seniors said yesterday.

Plans are in hand for a series of countrywide protests at which SLFP leaders including President Kumaratunga and party seniors will participate, opposition leader Mahinda Rajapakse said.

Rajapakse yesterday said that the president has decided on a countrywide campaign including picketing, demonstrations and rallies with the support of only PA parties.

The protests will be held in Kandy (September 19), a pada yatra from Tissamaharama to Kataragama (September 28), Embilipitiya (October 4), Polonnaruwa (October 9), Negombo (October 11), Kalutara and Nuwara Eliya Districts (October 12), Galle (October 13), Anamaduwa (October 17), Badulla (October 18) and Matara (October 19).

Rajapakse said that they want to mobilise the people’s discontent about the prevailing situation in the country including the government’s inability to ensure a fair price for the rice harvest, threats to the security of the Eastern Province, the rising cost of living, LTTE violations of the ceasefire and other major issues like unemployment.

"We want to push the government towards finding solutions to these problems. If they can’t, they must get out and hand over to the PA without taking the country into further destruction," Rajapakse said.