The government has decided to appoint a five member committee to study the set of proposals put forward by the Jathika Hela Urumaya. The aim of this committee is to identify the priorities of the proposals and for the two sides to reach an agreement.

This decision has been taken yesterday at the meeting between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the JHU at Temple Trees which was presided by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The government was represented by Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Susil Premjayanth, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Dallas Alahapperuma. The JHU delegation included JHU Chairman Athuraliye Rathana Thera and Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

After the 3 hour long meeting, Athuraliye Rathana Thera participated in a talk show on a private TV channel. "The government still has time to implement our proposals. We are constantly monitoring the way the government proceeds on this matter. At the same time, we will hold discussions with other political parties too" Rathana Thera said.