UNP rules out forming national government

[TamilNet, Saturday, 19 May 2007, 05:06 GMT]
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) Saturday ruled out the possibility of forming a national government with the government led by Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse. "The present government has lost its credibility among the masses due to its undemocratic acts and human rights violations. It is a dream to think of forming a national government with Mr.Rajapakse who tore down the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the UNP with the SLFP, main constituent of the government to find lasting solution to all problems affecting the country," said UNP general secretary Mr.Tissa Attanayake commenting on a call to form a national government.

Mr.Attanayake made this statement amid claims by UNP dissident group that nine more UNP parliamentarians are expected to join the Rajapakse government shortly as they are reported to have lost confidence on the leadership of Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, media sources said.

Mr. Hemakumara Nanayakkara, a UNP dissident parliamentarian and a minister, said nine UNP members have already informed of their decisions but waiting for a right opportunity to cross over to the government side. They would be joining the government without any conditions, he said.

However, Mr.Nanayakkara declined to reveal the names.