The JVP is likely to suffer another major split with its trade union chief and parliamentarian offering to resign, The Island learns.

JVP trade union wing leader and MP K. D. Lal Kantha, highly placed sources yesterday said, had tendered his resignation letter to the party's politburo on Friday night as the politburo and the Central Committee had been very critical of his failure to handle trade union affairs effectively and efficiently.

Lal Kantha came under fire from a section of the JVP after the party's much advertised July 10 strike came a cropper and he failed to organise the trade unions thereafter in such way as to unsettle the government. He had also had personal differences with some of the party bigwigs, sources said.

However, the party hierarchy refused to accept Lal Kantha's resignation. Discussions aimed at rapprochement have been on during the last two days.

While sources close to the party leadership claimed the talks held at the party head office at Maharagama had been a success, others disputed that view. They said the tussle was far from over and the Central Committee would have to decide shortly whether to keep Lal Kantha in the party or not.

"We cannot drag our feet on Lal Kantha's letter," a JVP Central Committee member said, "we totally mishandled the Weerawansa and Nandana affairs." He said the party had decided to be done with the Lal Kantha affair without losing much time.

General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva declined to comment on Lal Kantha's letter.

He dodged the issue but admitted there were differences of opinion between Lal Kantha and the politburo. "These are not uncommon," said Silva, "we have had such differences and we will iron them out amicably."

Asked whether the JVP had removed Lal Kantha, Silva said, "We have not sacked him; nor has he resigned."

Lal Kantha, contacted for comment, said he had not resigned until yesterday. "I will not resign today," he said. However, when asked repeatedly whether that meant he would resign tomorrow, a smiling Lal Kantha said, "I am not in a position to say what will happen tomorrow."

It was being speculated in political circles yesterday that Lal Kantha would either remain independent in Parliament or gravitate to the UNP-led Opposition. It was also being rumoured that the National Freedom Front (NFF) led by dissident JVP strongman Wimal Weerawansa was making overtures to Lal Kantha.

Asked for comment, Weerawansa told The Island that he was aware that Lal Kantha had submitted his resignation letter to the party leadership but both sides had agreed to discuss the matter at length during the next few days. He said he was sceptical about the success of the talks being held.

A final decision on Lal Kantha's resignation is expected to be taken before Friday, according to the JVP Central Committee sources.

If Lal Kantha resigns, the JVP is likely to lose its hold on a large number of State sector trade unions.