UNP, SLFP agree to disagree as MoU comes to an end

Ousted Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe manages a grin as he leaves the Justice Ministry office on Wednesday. Pic by Indika Handuwela

By Our Political Editor-Sunday, August 27, 2017

• UNP’s problems continue with No Confidence motion against Rajitha Senaratne
• President agrees to the demand for the removal of Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from the Cabinet
• Strong moves by SLFP to retain executive presidency; Sirisena may contest again; UNP has fall-back option

Even if those present were not conscious of the grim reality around, the forebodings ahead for the coalition partners were ominous. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP) expired that midnight. Though unwittingly, they were together witnesses to that demise of a document that had brought them together, with much fanfare, for what was widely touted as good governance.The clock was ticking away towards midnight signalling the dawn of Tuesday when President Maithripala Sirisena chaired a meeting of his coalition partners and “friendly” political parties at his Paget Road residence in Colombo.

UNP, SLFP agree to disagree as MoU comes to an end.docx by Thavam on Scribd