Major split in Lanka's Opposition, rebel MPs to join Rajapaksa govt

Colombo, Jan 16 (UNI) Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) led by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, is facing an imminent split with a group of at least eleven prominent parliamentarians of the party expected to join the ruling coalition led 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 eleven UNP parliamentarians, led by former deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya and comprising senior members like Milinda Moragoda, Prof G L Peiris and Dr Rajitha Senaratne were revolting against the party leadership and trying to join the government.

''According to information we receive, 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, who is so far loyal to the party leadership, 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, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was scheduled to hold 'make-or-break talks' with President Rajapaksa this afternoon to decide the future course of action.

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

He also confirmed that the UNP leader had 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