The main left party, the Marxist JVP or the People's Liberation Front, said in Colombo Monday that it had reached an agreement with the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse to back him in his presidential bid.

Somawansa Amerasinghe, the JVP leader, told reporters, "We believe we have taken a politically correct decision to extend support to defeat moves by international and local conspirators toviolate Sri Lanka's sovereignty."

The JVP and Rajapakse agreed on a 12-point conditions paper, which the JVP leader said would be signed in "5 to 6 days time."

The agreement calls for the abolition of the President Chandrika Kumaratunga's agreement with the Tamil Tigers for post Tsunami rehabilitation in the Tamil regions.

The JVP walked out of the Kumaratunga government in mid-June protesting against the agreement.

The JVP said that the agreement with Rajapakse was on a personal basis and would not mean going back to an electoral alliance with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) headed by Kumaratunga.

The agreement says though it was necessary to negotiate with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that talks based on granting any administrative or political power to the rebels would not be permissible.

It calls for reviewing the February 2002 cease-fire with the LTTE and future of Norway as facilitator should be reviewed.

The JVP in the past had called for the ouster of Norway accusing them of showing partiality towards the rebels.

The agreement says the liberal open economic policy will be reviewed and privatization of state enterprises would be halted.

There was no immediate comment from Rajapakse's office so far.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2005)