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by Jayantha Sri Nissanka

Controversial political figure and senior SLFPer Richard Pathirana yesterday tendered his resignation from the Party Leaders meeting, possibly paving the way for MP Anura Bandaranaike to attend party leaders meetings hereafter.

He had thanked the Speaker and other party leaders and colleagues and left the room when Party Leaders met at 11.30 am yesterday to prepare the next week agenda.

Pathirana had met President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga last week and pledged his full commitment to the Party. Responding to him, the President had asked him to resign from the Party leaders in order to allow MP Anura Bandaranaike to attend meetings. But he had declined the request at that time.

During the Party leaders meeting they had fixed February 18 to debate the No Confidence motion against Defence Minister Marapana.

MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardane had insisted on taking up the No Confidence Motion against the Defence Minister on the grounds of the security situation in the North and East and the LTTE's arms smuggling.

The Opposition had handed over the motion last year October.

In addition Gunawardane had also brought to the notice of party leaders a possible American attack on Iraq and demanded a one day adjournment debate on Government strategies for assisting Sri Lankans living in the Middle East.

Responding to him, Chief Government Whip Mahinda Samarasinghe had given a date- February 20 - to debate the Iraqi issue.

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse, Chief Opposition Whip Mangala Samaraweera, PA MP Raja Collure and DPLF Leader D. Sidharthan and Ministers Mahinda Samarasinghe and M.H.Mohamed participated.

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