PA to discuss no-faith motion on Wednesday

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 September 2001, 12:51 GMT]
The leaders of constituent parties of the ruling People's Alliance (PA) are scheduled to meet next Wednesday to discuss the present political situation following the submission of a no-confidence motion afresh against the government in parliament by opposition United National Party. Meanwhile opposition leaders are scheduled to meet the Speaker on October 8 to fix the date for debating the no-confidence motion. The parliament is due to meet on October 9.

"The Wednesday meeting would be a crucial one for the PA government. The PA leadership is likely to take a decision to dissolve parliament if it feels that a group of PA dissidents are likely to support the UNP's no-faith motion", ruling party sources said.

The UNP handed over a no-confidence motion against the PA government to the deputy secretary-general of parliament Friday. The leader of the Opposition Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, Mr.Karu Jayasuriya, Deputy Leader, Gamini Atukorale, Assistant leader and W.J.M.Lokubandara,opposition whip have signed the motion.

The UNP now depends on PA dissidents to pass the no-confidence motion.

Meanwhile seven member parliamentary group of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress led by Mr.Rauff Hakeem Friday night unanimously decided that a decision on whether to vote for the no-confidence motion or not would be taken at the time of debate in parliament. This decision was arrived at the politburo meeting of the SLMC held at its headquarters "Darusslam."

The politburo discussed the political situation in the country following the passage of 17th amendment to the constitution, which enabled the formation of the constitutional council and other independent commissions.

According to the present constitution, the Executive President is empowered to dissolve parliament after the expiry of one year since the last general election. The present parliament was convened on October 10 last year.