UNP parliamentary group meeting inconclusive

Colombo (News 1st): The Parliamentary Group of the ruling party convened this evening and the discussion concluded without a decision being reached. The discussion was led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the parliamentary premises. The future procedure of the ruling party, with the appointment of the new President, has been discussed in length at the meeting. Several MPs have stated that the party should lend their support towards an election while most of the young MPs have said that they should adhere to the public mandate and handover the Government and hold a General Election after the estimated time period. Minister of Home Affairs Vajira Abeywardena noted that they immediately have to give their fullest support to the Government to hold the parliamentary election. He added that they can act on that. Meanwhile, UNP MP Harshana Rajakaruna said they are in no hurry to go to a General Election. However, he noted that they have to bow down to the people's mandate and handover the Government to them. He added that he is of the opinion that the party should be re-organized before the next election. He went onto note that not only the leadership of the party but the information of the party members should also be re-organized. UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra also commented on this issue;

Hirunika Premachandra: We finally decided to have discussions with the party leaders and come to a decision. Because according to the new constitution, our Government has time till March. Journalist: Is there a change in the leadership of the party? Hirunika Premachandra: I don't know about it yet. We have to wait and find out. About the party leadership and whether we will go and join the Opposition will be decided following the discussion on Wednesday.

MP Vijith Wijayamuni Zoysa noted that they have to the salute mandate of the people and have to create a good background for the current President to run the country. When questioned what they asked the Prime Minister, he noted that there is nothing left to ask him as the people have given their answer.  He noted that they wish the current President, Gotabaya Rajapksa and will be in the Opposition. State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake also spoke about the current situation;

"The Prime Minister said at the discussion that a meeting will be held to meet all the leaders of the SLPP. Many members of the Working Committee were present today. We inquired about their opinion as well. We will reach a decision after holding discussions with Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. We are ready to go for an election at any time."

UNP MP Hesha Vithana said they are of a stance that the party should be re-organized and should prepare for the upcoming election. He noted that the party should be re-organized in a way that the country can go forward by changing all the positions starting from the leadership itself. He added that if not they will step aside as the young group of the party. Speaking to the media UNP MP S. M. Marikkar said they are not agreeing to give the 2/3 majority to dissolve the Parliament by any means. He said now they have 3 months to start doing what they promised and the country would not present a budget in the next year. He requested them to present a budget and they will wait and see how they allocate money. He added that they will watch how they will form the Government and start working in the coming 3 months.