UNFF members troubled by lack of ministerial positions

Colombo (News1st) - Leader of the Up-Country People's Front, V. Radhakrishnan issuing a release has expressed his regret over not being appointed as a cabinet minister. MP Radhakrishnan said that during the crisis he pledged his support to Ranil Wickramasinghe. He adds that Ranil Wickramasinghe promised to award a Cabinet and deputy Ministerial portfolio to the Up-Country People's Front. Ranil Wickramasinghe had assured him that the Up-Country People's Front will be given the Portfolios of state minister of education, non-cabinet minister of Hindu affairs and another Deputy Ministerial portfolio. The MP goes on to note that although the promises made to his party were not fulfilled the Tamil Progressive Alliance had been awarded two cabinet ministerial portfolios. V. Radhakrishnan is also a member of the Tamil Progressive alliance. Other members of the alliance include Mano Ganeshan and P. Digambaran. V. Radhakrishnan in his release stresses that he will only accept a ministry at which he could serve the people and adds that he will not accept any other position. However, he also stated that he will not join the opposition.

ANOTHER CABINET MINISTER FROM THE UNP?

Meanwhile addressing a public rally, MP Palitha Range Bandara also expressed his views on not receiving a ministerial position. He stated that plans to buy the loyalty of MPs were revealed to the entire country because of him, adding that it was stopped because of his actions. He added that the people had expressed hope that he would receive a position in the new Government and had repeated the concerns to the members of the party. He noted that his views were misconstrued by some media outlets who stated that Range Bandara had issued a warning to the Government. Concluding his address to the people the MP noted that he would come before them again in the new year as an individual who has a position capable of doing good work for the people of the area. P. Harrison, Minister of rural economic affairs addressing a media briefing in Colombo reiterated that Palitha Range Bandara should receive a cabinet ministerial position and went onto note that the PM and the President would resolve this issue. Parliamentarian Dullas Allahaperuma issuing a media release today accused the government of attempting to increase the number of ministerial portfolios by depicting the government formed with the support of just one MP from the Muslim Congress, as a national government. He adds that this attempt does not comply with the provisions of the constitution. Allahaperuma in his release said that he was amazed by the silence of groups that protested calling for democracy to be protected, in the face of these shameless actions.

UNP Backdoor

Executive Director of CaFFE, Keerthi Tennakoon appearing on the Dawasa program today stated that in accordance with the 19th amendment the cabinet of Ministers is restricted to 30 members ( President + Prime Minister + 28 others). He believes that the appointment of 3 non-cabinet ministers is an attempt to circumvent this regulation and described it as a shameless attempt to undermine the 19th amendment to the constitution. Tennakoon noted that this is another backdoor scheme of the UNP similar to the bond scam, coal scam and the Singapore FTA.