Crucial Cabinet Meeting Starts At Presidential Secretariat: High Drama, Fireworks And Finger Pointing Expected

February 14, 2018

The first Cabinet meeting after the government's defeat at the Local Government election started a short while ago, at the Presidential Secretariat. 

The meeting will be chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena and the SLFP Ministers, who decided to quit the unity government yesterday, will also attend the meeting. 

During a discussion held at the President's official residence down Paget Road, President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe agreed to discuss the continuity of the government at the Cabinet meeting today, in the presence of both the UNP and the SLFP ministers. 

Therefore, the meeting is likely too see high drama and fireworks, with accusatory fingers pointing in various directions. 

There is a great possibility that the Prime Minister will form a new government, led by the UNP, this week, with the support of some SLFP ministers who will defect to the green camp. 

However, it also depends on the recommendation of the committee appointed by the UNP to look into the matter. If the recommends to continue with the same government, the move to form an independent government by the UNP will not bear fruit.