UNP to pull out of talks with President

Following the recent crossover of two of its Parliamentarians to the government side, the United National Party (UNP) has decided to pull out of its talks with the President regarding constitutional reforms, Siri Kotha sources say.

Recently two Members who had entered Parliament through the UNP ticket, Democratic People’s Front’s Prabha Ganesan and National Union of Workers leader P. Dhigambaram joined the government.

When UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe entered into the most recent round of discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, one of his main request to the President had been not to encourage any more defections from the opposition to the government.

However, a government source stated that if Opposition members were willing to join the government, the President would not be able to stop them forcibly. “Why not take maximum advantage as we need only a few more for a two thirds majority in the House,” the source queried.

However, UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya has told the media that the party has not yet taken a final decision on the matter. But he has added that such a decision could be taken soon.