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SLFP mulls new coalition under Maithri or CBK

08 Mar 2022

  • 11 parties to sit ‘independently’ in P’ment whilst remaining part of Govt. 
BY Ruwani Fonseka  The 11 constituent parties of the Government which recently launched the “Mulu Ratama Hari Magata (the entire country towards the correct path)” programme, are currently discussing forming a broad coalition, under the leadership of either former President Maithripala Sirisena or former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga being tipped to lead the same, The Morning learnt. A high-level source close to the discussions revealed that the constituent party leaders and members, including of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), are feeling demoralised and sidelined by the main government party, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). “We feel like second-class citizens. Yes, we are in the discussion phase of forming a coalition and that will surely happen as well. As for who will lead, we still have to decide. In 1997, during the time of Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, all party leaders had a meeting with the President once a month and decisions pertaining to the Government and country were decided unanimously. This was there during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure as well. Clearly now, only the main government people have their own meetings and we are left aside like second-class citizens. No one is happy anymore,” the source said. It was also alleged that the President is making decisions as and when he feels without holding discussions with the ministers, and therefore the constituent party members feel as if there is nothing to lose even if their portfolios are lost. “The President does not make decisions after consulting the relevant ministers, so even if anyone loses their portfolios there is nothing really to lose,” The Morning was told. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is due to hold a discussion with the SLFP today (8) on the proposals that the SLFP has submitted to combat the country’s current crises. Meanwhile, Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) Leader and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Government Parliamentarian Prof. Tissa Vitarana said yesterday (7) that 11 constituent parties of the Government that recently launched a separate programme to steer the country on the “correct path” and put forward proposals to be considered as solutions for the prevailing economic crisis, have reached an agreement to continue to work together. The 11 said parties including the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the National Freedom Front (NFF), the Democratic Left Front, the Sri Lanka Communist Party, the LSSP, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), the National Congress, the Sri Lanka People’s Party, the Vijaya Dharani National Council, the United People’s Party, and the Yuthukama National Organisation, had met on 6 March to discuss their future plans where they had arrived at a consensus to continue to work together. The 11 said constituent parties recently launched their “Mulu Ratama Hari Magata (the entire country towards the correct path)” programme, and called for immediate reforms as solutions to the prevailing economic crisis. At the launch, then Cabinet Ministers Wimal Weerawansa (NFF Leader) and Udaya Gammanpila (PHU Leader) were highly critical of Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa. They were fired from their posts on 3 March. Gammanpila has stated that henceforth, the 11 said constituent parties will sit independently from the Government in Parliament, although they will continue to be a part of it. “Ten constituent parties and the SLFP held political talks on 6 March and agreed that we will continue to work together. A change just took place. Our aim is that our proposals will be implemented by the Government. If that happens, we can stay in the Government and solve public problems. But, if there are problems, we will have to evaluate at the time and take decisions accordingly,” said Prof. Vitarana, while addressing a media briefing held yesterday.  


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