Progressive and leftist parties support SLFP JVP alliance (Dinamina - S)
Hailing the SLFP JVP alliance as the fruition of aspirations of the people, a large number of progressive and leftist political parties in the country, have pledged their support, to form the broadest possible united front to function as a strong force for the benefit of the mother land. MEP leader and MP, Dinesh Gunawardene has said that signing of the Alliance between the SLFP and the JVP on Jan. 20 is, a historic and giant step towards the broadest possible unity in the progressive and patriotic camps and fulfillment of the aspirations of the people.

Doctor arrested for importing date expired drugs and biscuits (Divaina - S)
Three suspects including a doctor of the Kiribathgoda hospital and a Customs contractor were taken into custody by Kadawatha Head Quarters Police, for having allegedly imported date expired drugs and biscuits and selling them to pharmacies after repacking them. Police have also taken into custody three lorry loads of such stocks together with these suspects, when a house was raided on information received by I.P. Nalaka of the Kadawatha police. This racket of repacking date expired drugs and biscuits with new dates of expiry and selling them to pharmacies, had gone on for some time, police said.

300 Tiger commandos resign (Lakbima - S)
Nearly 300 Tiger commandos belonging to the Tiger special commando brigade called, Sirantha Puli, have given their letters of resignation from the LTTE, according to Vanni sources. It is also learnt that they had given these letters of resignation last December and Tiger leader Prabhakaran had called Tiger chiefs and asked them to reconstitute this force. Such resignations are attributed to the Commandos being disappointed due to many Tiger leaders preferring to lead more luxurious lives. This situation is causing many difficulties to Tiger leaders, Vanni sources further said.

General election to be held after signing of JVP SLFP pact (Virakesari-T)
It is understood that when the Joint Alliance pact between the SLFP and the JVP is signed on 20th January, President Chandrika Kumaratunga will dissolve Parliament and announce the date for the general election, PA sources said yesterday (15).

They also said that after the signing of the pact Parliament will be dissolved by the end of this month and the general election will be held in April.

LTTE to wait till a stable Government assumes power (Sudar Oli - T)
The LTTE is prepared to participate in negotiations when a stable Government assumes power in Colombo said Anton Balasingham, LTTE political advisor, to the Norwegian Government.

He has further said they will continue with the truce agreement irrespective of the continuing political impasse in the south when he met the delegation led by Norwegian Peace Envoy, Erik Solheim on 14th January in London.

SLFP JVP pact (Thinakaran - T)
All arrangement are being made for the formal signing on 20th January of the SLFP JVP pact, said Janadasa Peiris, Director General Presidential Media Unit yesterday (15).

He further said that invitations has been sent to more than 500 persons to attend this function and that Maithripala Sirisena, General Secretary of the SLFP and Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of the JVP will sign the agreement, at the BMICH.When he was asked whether a general election will be held soon after the signing of the pact, he said such a decision has not been taken at present.

Sri lanka-India Defence discussions in New Delhi (Divaina-S)
Ignoring the protests of the LTTE, Indian defence authorities began talks with a three member delegation from Sri Lanka yesterday (15) in New Delhi. The Sri Lankan delegation comprises the Defence Secretary Mr. Cyril Herath, Lt. Gen. L.P. Balagalle, Chief of Defence staff and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, and Mr. Nigel Hatch, Legal Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka. They discussed matters relating to Indo-Lanka Defence cooperation agreement with the Indian delegation led by Defence Secretary Shri Ajay Prasad.

Under this proposed agreement Sri Lanka expects to receive transport helicopters and special training for the Sri Lankan Army. Organizations supporting the LTTE have said that India supporting Sri Lanka is an act to suppress the Tamils. The Sri Lanka delegation is expected to return tomorrow (17).

Government or Forces cannot withdraw from MoU suddenly - Thamilchelvan (Divaina-S)
If the Government or the security forces want to withdraw from the MoU they should inform their organization through international mediations or the SLMM with 14 days prior notice, LTTE Political Wing Leader, S.P. Thamilchelvan told the 'Udayan' newspaper. Thamilchelvan was responding to a statement made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe saying that the latter was withdrawing from the MoU unilaterally. He had refuted allegations that the President had held secret talks with them and had said that they would hold any talks openly as instructed by Prabhakaran.

Metropolitan Colombo security beefed up (Sudar Oli - T)
Indra de Silva, IGP has initiated action to beef up the security of metropolitan Colombo. This action is to curb the murders, robbery and other criminal activities that are taking place in the city, Sirisena Herath, DIG in charge of Colombo division, said.

He further said the police and army will jointly patrol the Colombo area and its immediate environs.