Signs of an Opposition breeding with ....

Signs of an Opposition breeding with ....

Mahinda's clan of 11

According to news which is streaming in already, it is clear that discussions of President Maithripala Sirisena heading the SLFP Central

Executive Committee and MPs of the Alliance in relation to the National Government have been successful to a great degree.

Mahinda, Wimal, Gammanpila and the Alliance alternate group has wholeheartedly shown their opposition for this proposal of a National Government and have expressed that it is not at all possible to work jointly with the UNP. Whatever it is, at the time President Maithripala brought forward this proposal yesterday, what he had utilised as a 'carrot' is that by working in unison as a coalition, it would be possible to successfully counter challenges of an international level too. What is implied by that is, in the face of threats that could emerge against Mahinda in the form of United Nations War Reports and the diaspora, this getting together is nevertheless significant for purposes of safety. However, though that issue has been felt as something of importance, about 11 members including Mahinda in the Mahinda faction have still thought of remaining as the Opposition and have even expressed that they are not willing to provide their support. These 11 members are 3 MPs of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna headed by Mr. Dinesh Goonawardena, 5 MPs of the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna of which the leader is Wimal Weeravansha, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, leader of Prajathanthravadi Vamanshika Peramuna, and all 10 individuals including Udaya Gammanpila, leader and General Secretary of Pivithuru Hela Urumaya and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was elected to the parliament from Kurunegala District.

It was possible to obtain the support of several Mahinda-supporters in connection with the committee appointed on behalf of the National Government at the Central Executive Committee meeting yesterday because of the reminder made that portfolios and privileges such as Ministers, Deputy Ministers et cetera could be acquired. Even those who were able to step into the parliament under the umbrella of Mahinda too have as a result of this turned their backs on Mahinda, having developed a craving for privileges offered by the National Government, it was reported by dawn this morning.

In the meantime, the Advisor of the Party and former President Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaika Cumaratunga had stated at the Party Central Executive meeting held yesterday that Party membership of those who are members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party who refuse to grant support for the National Government to be established by the United National Party would be expelled. This was expressed when former Ministers Kumara Welgama, Dalas Alahapperuma and Pavithra Wanniaarachchi spoke against forming a National Government at the Central Executive Committee meeting. Mahinda supporters such as Kumara Welgama, Dalas Alahapperuma and Pavithra Wanniaarachchi whether joining in with this clan of 11 or not, has still not been reported.

In the process, if the UPFA - UNP is moving towards a coalition government, the Tamil Alliance would be in the Opposition and what they had said was that if the Sri Lanka Freedom Party is to join hands under the leadership of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasingha the position of Opposition Whip of parliament should be bestowed on their Party, which incidentally was their argument. Thus it is their argument that when the SLFP joins the government, the Opposition of the Tamil National Alliance which boasts of the biggest number of MPs with 4 members of the JVP and 1 from the EPDP comprising of 16 MPs should be given that position. In the meantime, the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had made an announcement yesterday (20) saying that he would not be accepting the position of Opposition Leader and hopes to function only as an ordinary member. Whatever it is, his supporters had voiced their displeasure on that decision yesterday itself.

As such, according to the present situation, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party would combine with the United National Party and thus form a National Government for a period of 2 years, with conditions attached. The duty of organising the National Government is expected to be handled by the committee comprising Chandrika Bandaranaike Cumaratunga, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Susil Premajayantha, S.B. Dissanayaka and Sarath Amunugama and while providing that support, a committee comprising Keheliya Rambukwella, Chamal Rajapaksa, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Kumara Welgama under the chairmanship of W.D.J. Seneviratna would inquire into the functions of the Opposition, it was reported yesterday.