Lankan ruling party avoids power struggle

Kumaratunga's Freedom Party named Ratnasiri Wickremanayake as leader of their Freedom Alliance, which includes several other parties including the Marxist JVP, or People's Liberation Front.

Government spokesman Mangala Samaraweera said Thur-sday that Kumaratunga had stepped down from the party post to spend "quality time" solving the country's problems.

The quick selection of Wickrema-nayake, 71, as a consensus candidate prevents a divisive vote for the alliance leadership, as a number of figures were believed to be seeking it.

Kumaratunga's brother, Anura Bandaranaike, had said Thursday he was ready to step in.

The nomination of Wickrema-nayake, who is also minister of Buddhist affairs, is expected to be ratified next month by the executive committee of the party.

Kumaratunga, who remains the state president, quit the party role as differences emerged within the ruling alliance on reviving talks with Tamil Tiger rebels, but Bandara-naike said most of the problems had been settled.

Press reports have said Kumar-atunga reprimanded JVP leaders over statements criticising the Norwegian-brokered peace process and other issues.

Kumaratunga's exit from the party leadership does not directly affect the the government, but the JVP will no longer be able to resolve disputes by demanding talks with her as leader of the coalition.