UNP Parliamentary Group Decides To Form New Government Under Leadership Of Ranil Wickremesinghe

February 13, 2018

Members of the UNP Parliamentary group which met at Temple Trees unanimously agreed to form a UNP government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesimghe. 

"If the SLFP doesn't like the idea, they can pull out of the government. If the President doesn't like the PM, he can step down too. But, the UNP is proceeding with its plan. We have a clear majority in Parliament at the moment and can form a government without a problem," a Parliamentary group member of the party told Asian Mirror, soon after the meeting. 

It is learnt that the conduct of the MTV/MBC Media Network has been heavily criticized by some MPs at the meeting. 

They have said President Maithripala Sirisena is pushing for the Prime Minister's resignation following its owner Killy Maharaja's advice. 

Many Parliamentary group members who attended the meeting had categorically stated that only Prime Minister Wickremesinghe could hold the party together. 

However, the formalities of forming a UNP government are yet to be discussed within he party, he said. 

"For instance, according to the 19th Amendment to the constitution, the Cabinet must be reduced to 30 members. Only 40 state and deputy ministers will be allowed. We also have to finalize the working arrangements with the TNA and the SLFP MPs willing to cross over," the MP explained.