A Sri Lankan opposition party the JVP or the People's Liberation Front, which until last week was part of the ruling coalition, has called for a general shutdown on Friday to protest Sri Lankan President's plan to enter a joint aid deal with the Tamil Tigers.

A press release issued by the JVP legislator Piyasiri Wijenaike Thursday called upon the state sector employees to strike, raise black flags and join in demonstrations against the joint mechanism to coordinate equitable distribution of tsunami relief assistance to Tamil held regions in the north and east.

They demand that government withdraw the mechanism which they said would divide the country and provide a victory to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels.

The press release came just hours after the government announced that the deal would be presented in parliament on Friday.

The JVP last week walked out of the ruling coalition, reducing the coalition to a minority in the 225-member parliament.

The Sri Lankan President Kumaratunga, despite the opposition from JVP and sections of the powerful Buddhist clergy, had shown remarkable resolve in going through her plan.

She maintains that the mechanism is essential to reviving the stalled peace negotiations with the Tamil Tigers.

It was not known if the all monk party the JHU or the Heritage Party would join the JVP's call for a shutdown.

The security in the city had been increased since early this week, police said.

Source: Xinhua