The leftist JVP or the People's Liberation Front, vehement critics of a joint deal between the government and the Tamil Tigers for tsunami relief aid, have called for a parliamentary debate on the deal.

Wimal Weerawansa, the group leader of the JVP in the parliament told the assembly Tuesday morning that the government must allow two days for the Parliament to debate the post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS).

Noting the government's willingness to allow for the debate, Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara said the matter should be decided at a meeting of all political party leaders represented in the Parliament.

Weerawansa's request came after Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse had tabled in the assembly a true copy of the agreement entered with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on June 24.

Rajapakse, responding to a question from the JHU or the Heritage Party if the setting up of the Regional Fund stipulated in the agreement violated the country's Constitution, requested two weeks to answer the query.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga proceeded to sign the deal with the LTTE rebels amidst stiff opposition coming from the JVP and a section of the powerful Buddhist clergy.

The JVP in protest quit the Kumaratunga government, reducing it to a minority in the 225-member assembly. The critics of the agreement contend that the P-TOMS confers official recognition to an terrorist group.

Kumaratunga denied allegations and said the agreement could form the basis for the resumption of the Norwegian backed peace process stalled since April 2003.

Source: Xinhua