No hesitation on cooperating with Govt - UNP

COLOMBO: The United National Party (UNP) said yesterday it was awaiting the Government's response to their pledge of cooperation to solve the national problem.

The Party assured their readiness to engage in talks with the Government.

Deputy General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said: "We are still awaiting the Government's response which will be discussed in the UNP future parliamentary group meetings."

He said the UNP has no hesitation in extending their support to the Government on the national issue and the party leadership including Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was expected to be back yesterday after his visit to India, was ready to have further talks with the Government.

Questioned on the prevalent speculation on forming a National Government, Attanayake said that neither the reply from the UNP nor the initial letter from President Mahinda Rajapaksa spoke about a National Government.

He said the SLFP General Secretary in a recent statement on television made no reference to a National Government.

Late last month, President Rajapaksa writing to UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya sought the main Opposition's support to solve the national problem.

UNP last week responded positively to the Government's request, party officials said. - (RS)