PA-Srimani deal?

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 19 January 1999, 13:06 GMT]
The General Secretary of the People's Alliance (PA) Minister, D.M.Jayaratne, today informed the secretary General of Parliament that Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake is deemed to have vacated his seat in Parliament as he was expelled from the Lalith faction of the Democratic United National Front (DUNLF) with effect from Sunday 17.

Karunanayake was appointed as the national list member of the P.A. The DUNLF is a consistent member of the People's Alliance. According to the constitution the Karunanayake's membership has now ceased.

The leader of the DUNLF and Member of Parliament Srimani Athulathmudhali issued a news release stating that Karunanayake has been expelled from the party membership, from the post of Vice President and from any other office he may hold in the United Lalith Front.

Meanwhile, the state run English Daily the Evening Observer said today that Srimani Athulathmudhali will address a PA compaign meeting in the Northwest Province tonight.

Political sources in Colombo said that the PA ousted Ravi Karunanayake following a deal with Srimani Athulathmudhali who had vacillated towards the UNP in recent years.

The move came at a time when Srimani Athulathmudhali was facing a serious split in her party that was threatening her future as a politician.

The vacancy created in the Parliament by the removal of Ravi Karunanayake is expected to be filled by one of Mrs.Athulathmudhali's loyalists under the PA - Srimani deal sources said.