Crisis in Wickremesinghe camp; leaders split

Colombo, Jan 16: Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP), led by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, is facing an imminent split as at least 11 leaders of the party are expected to join the ruling coalition headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa during the next few days.

A top UNP stalwart, who is also a Member of Parliament for the Colombo district, told UNI over the phone that the dissident group of at least 1l UNP parliamentarians led by former deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya will be joining the government. The group comprising senior members like Milinda Moragoda, Prof GL Peiris and Dr Rajitha Senaratne were revolting against the party leadership.

''According to the information we received, the dissident MPs have already held several rounds of talks with the government leaders in this regard. They are to be rewarded with cabinet and non-cabinet ministerial portfolios,'' the UNP Colombo district parliamentarian, said on condition of anonymity.

He, however, warned that in the event of the government accommodating the UNP dissident group, it would seriously jeopardise the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ruling coalition and the main opposition on working together in and out of Parliament on five national issues, including the resolution of the ethnic conflict, the economic development and good governance.

According to the UNP MP, Mr Wickremesinghe is scheduled to hold ''make-or-break talks'' with President Rajapaksa this afternoon and decide the future course of action.

Meanwhile, a top Presidential source said the rebel group had held crucial talks with the President last night at the Temple Tress on ''joining the government and taking up cabinet portfolios in the mmediate future''.

He also confirmed that the UNP leader has sought a meeting with the President today to discuss about the co-operation between the two major parties in the future.

At least six UNP Members of Parliament are already in the government and are holding ministerial portfolios.

UNI