Will SLFP, UPFA exit National Government? Decisive meeting today

COLOMBO (News1st) - A decisive meeting is scheduled to take place today, to ascertain whether or not the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and United People's Freedom Alliance will divorce or exit the National Government.

A group of ministers and MPs of the UPFA and SLFP, held discussions at the president's official residence at 7.30 p.m. yesterday (February 18) , to discuss the prevalent political climate, and the manner in which the parties need to work in Parliament. A senior member of the government noted that a majority of the members of both parties had expressed their willingness to exit the national government during the two-hour long discussion, with the President yesterday (February 18). However, speaking to News1st, the senior member further noted that the final decision on the matter will be reached when the parliamentary group of the UPFA meets today (February 19). According to inside information, by another parliamentarian who joined the discussion yesterday, the parliamentary group of the UPFA have decided to refrain from participating in the parliamentary sessions scheduled for today(February 19). Prior to Sunday's special meeting at the president's official residence, News1st also reported that a special meeting was held between President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and at the president's official residence yesterday (February 18). The hour-long meeting which began at 6.30 p.m., also saw the participation of the General Secretary of the UNP, Kabir Hashim. Thereafter, the parliamentary group of the UNP convened, for a special meeting at Temple Trees late yesterdady (February 18) night.