The understanding is part of the draft joint agreement between the two parties subsequent to weeks long top level discussions to form a wide political alliance against the ruling UNF, Ravaya newspaper said.

It has been the opinion of the JVP that unless the UNF was defeated immediately, they had to remain in opposition for years. The Marxist party believe that the government should be defeated before the aid group meeting in June in Japan, since the UNF would strengthen its stability if it receives a large sum of aid from the donor countries during the meeting.

In such a scenario the UNF would be in a strong position to introduce the federal structured solution in the country.

The newspaper said that the JVP had already agreed to withdraw several rigid stands taken by them for years and accepted to be a party in a future government led by the SLFP.

However, the JVP has continuously objected to the position of SLFP led Peoples’ Alliance which supports a political solution to the North East conflict. It has stressed that the present peace process should be stopped under a future PA-JVP government. The JVP has also said that they would not even support the constitutional reforms introduced by the PA three years ago. Published: Fri Mar 7 06:12:26 EST 2003

The impetus to form a patriotic administration in alliance with the SLFP was initially given by the so-called peace process and the main responsibility of a patriotic administration is to create an honourable peace for the country, hewspaper reports quoted Weerawansa as saying.

Mr. Weerawansa has declared that if they think negotiations were necessary for a political solution they are prepared for it and similary they were ready for a war if necessary.

He said that a patriotic government would not accept intervention of Norway, which is not a facilitator but an accomplice to divide the country. He recalled that a statement issued by the SLFP also contained the same views and said that there were no differences of opinion in that regard. Published: Fri Mar 7 06:12:26 EST 2003

Friday's victory virtually secured Australia's entry into the semifinals, having carried forward the maximum 12 points from the preliminary league.

Chasing an imposing target, Sri Lanka - was shattered by Lee's three-wicket burst in the space of 11 deliveries that reduced it from 42 without loss to 48 for four.

The big blow was losing Jayasuriya in the second over. Scans later cleared him of a broken wrist, but showed a minor chip in his left thumb.

Lee held a superb return catch to dismiss opener Marvan Atapattu for 16 in the 10th over and then sent back Mahela Jayawardene and Russel Arnold in his next two overs.

Jayawardene posted a three-ball duck as he edged an outswinger to wicketkeeper Gilchrist and Arnold (1) was trapped leg before, giving Lee three wickets for 52 runs.

Paceman Glenn McGrath clean bowled Hashan Tillakaratne for 21 as Sri Lanka - 's top order perished in five overs from the pace duo.

Veteran de Silva survived a strong lbw appeal against Lee and saw Matthew Hayden at point drop a catch off McGrath before opening his account, but went on to smash a 94-ball 92 with four towering sixes and nine boundaries.

De Silva's knock was the feature of the Sri Lankan innings even though falling short of his 12th one-day century by offering a return catch to left-arm spinner Brad Hogg, who claimed two for 45.

Kumar Sangakkara contributed a defiant 20 and Chaminda Vaas hit out for 21, but the battle had already been lost.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Ponting fired his 12th one-day century and Gilchrist missed his ninth by one run.

Gilchrist set the tempo with a sparkling innings, which contained two huge sixes and 14 fours, and Ponting continued the assault by smashing four sixes and eight boundaries from 109 balls.

Australia was provided a rousing start by Gilchrist's blitz in his brisk 75-run opening stand with Hayden, who was unlucky to be given out caught by Tillakaratne at silly point off Muttiah Muralitharan.

New Zealand umpire Brent Bowden adjudged the ball hit bat and pad before it was snatched up in close.

The Aussie openers scored 62 off nine overs and forced Sri Lankan skipper Jayasuriya to introduce a double-spin attack from the 10th over.

Hayden's departure had no effect on Gilchrist, who first lifted veteran offspinner de Silva for six over long-on and then swung Arnold over the mid-on fence.

Gilchrist went to share a 106-run partnership for the second with Ponting, who made Sri Lanka - pay a heavy price for the missed stumping by Sangakkara off Muralitharan when he was on 17.

When on 34, Ponting had to dive full length to avoid a run out from de Silva's flash throw from deep cover to wicketkeeper Sangakkara.

Gilchrist was given a life on 96 when Muralitharan at point failed to hold on to a catch off Vaas, but was out in the next over going for a second run. Vaas had his revenge by running him out with a direct hit from square-leg.

(sn-jp) Published: Fri Mar 7 12:13:56 EST 2003