The Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) continued to face opposition Monday with opposition political parties resorting to wide ranging action to air their dissatisfaction.

The JVP or the People's Liberation Front, who walked out of the President Chandrika Kumaratunga's government over the issue, filed action in the Colombo's District Court seeking a writ against the agreement sealed between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels.

A JVP source said that in its petition to the court the party had also sought an interim injunction preventing it from coming into force.

The JVP pleaded in the court that the deal was unconstitutional as the government had entered the agreement with a terrorist organization which sought to separate the country.

The Muslims aggrieved by the alleged disparity in Muslim representation in the P-TOMS forced the life to a standstill in the Muslim dominated areas of Akkaraiapattu, Kalmunai and Pottuvil in the eastern province, said sources of the main Muslim party, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.

Offices, schools and businesses remained closed. Public transport was brought to a halt as main roads were blocked.

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) at a news conference expressed its discontent with P-TOMS, alleging that it had failed to ensure the representation of the majority Sinhala community in the mechanism.

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga last Friday entered the deal with the LTTE rebels despite wide spread opposition to the mechanism, which is aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of 3 billion US dollars worth of donor assistance.

Source: Xinhua