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Ratnasiri Opposition Leader

by Jayantha Sri Nissanka

The People's Alliance yesterday unanimously decided to appoint former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake as the Opposition Leader, at the PA Group Meeting.

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga had said that Anura Bandaranaike and Mahinda Rajapakse are suitable for the post of Opposition Leader. However, she had proposed the name of former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, saying he is the most suitable person to be the Opposition Leader at this moment. Thereafter, nobody had objected to Wickremanayke's appointment.

"Several vociferous MPs were critical of the PA's decision not to support the UNP's offer for a national government," said a senior PA member.

Senior members such as Richard Pathirana, Jeyeraj Fernandopulle and Felix Perera had requested the party to take more moderate path with regard to the national issue, he said.

"I urged the party leadership not to repeat what the UNP did when they were in the Opposition on this issue," Mr. Felix Perera told the Daily News.

Former Highways Minister A.H.M Fowzie had proposed that the PA should form a National Government with the United National Front (UNF) at this decisive juncture when the country has to face great challenges. Responding to him most of the members of the group had agreed to support the UNF to find solutions to national issues without accepting portfolios.

The PA group had decided to extend its fullest cooperation to the UNF to find solutions to the ethnic problem, amendments or changes to the Constitution and the electoral system and revitalize the economy.

They have said that the PA was vehemently rejected by the people. The PA will thus go against the public verdict if they accept portfolios, they have said.

However, Southern Province Chief Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene will take oaths as an MP this time. Since the Galle District preferential votes are favourable to the UNP he had been asked to be an MP without going back to the Chief Ministerial Post.

Another source said that Mr. Pathirana has stepped down from his Galle District leadership during the meeting. Mr. Pathirana was not available for confirmation.

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