UNP claims 20 UPFA parliamentarians to leave government

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 December 2010, 20:56 GMT]
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) in south Wednesday claimed about twenty government parliamentarians were holding discussion with its leadership to leave the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA). UNP Badulla district parliamentarian Harin Fernando told a media briefing that the disgruntled UPFA parliamentarians, including some senior ministers, were ready to join the UNP under its new leadership.

Another UNP parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene said at the media briefing that the UNP could move forward with the experience of Ranil Wickremasinghe and Sajith Premadasa’s popularity among rural masses.

Meanwhile the annual budget of UPFA controlled Maharagama Urban Council (UC) was defeated Tuesday by a majority of three votes. Two councilors of the UPFA voted with the main opposition UNP and JVP.

The Maharagama Urban Council becomes the fifth local body where the ruling UPFA was defeated in the budget vote this year. The budgets of the Beliatte Predesiya Saba, Tangalle UC, Matara UC and Maho Predesiya Saba were defeated this year.