UNP withdraws from MoU

Nirushi WIMALAWEERA

COLOMBO: The United National Party Chairman Rukman Senanayake said that as the Government has gone against the Memorandum of Understanding the UNP signed with SLFP the UNP would tare the MoU and the party will now act with no binding to help the Government.

"Although we move out from the MoU signed with the SLFP, the UNP will fully support the Government in resolving the North East issue", Senanayake said.

Addressing media at the Opposition Leader's office in Colombo yesterday - UNP Chairman said, that the group joined the Government has not either in writing or by word of mouth informed the Party that they were joining the Government.

"It is a violation of the Party constitution", he added. UNP Secretary General Tissa Attanayake said that the MoU signed between the two parties have lost its validity in toto". It is a document no more valid", he said.

The UNP signed the MoU responding to request made by the Maha Sangha of this country, Elite, professionals and business community and also of the international community.

The MoU was signed with the hope of bringing about Peace, social development and good governess. The UNP was keen of the progress of the country and have entered into MoU, despite opposition with the party.

"But it is unfortunate that the Government failed to respect the MoU signed with good intensions. It collapsed within 97 days," he said. He went on to say that nobody can join the Government to obtain facilities and positions without the approval of the party.

Those contested from UNP ticket should respect the Party Constitution, Rules and regulations", he said. Party will initiate disciplinary action against those gone to the Government violating the party constitution, Attanayake added.

Attanayake said that it was not proper to have taken its UNPers to the Government while the Party Leader was away without his agreement to do so. It destroys the goodwill created by the signing of the MoU. "Hence we have no option than to do away with that agreement," he said.

Party Treasurer Tilak Karunaratne, UNP Spokesman Gayantha Karunatilaka and Kurunegala District MP Johnston Fernando also spoke.