National Govt. to unify all parties for development: Kiriella

• Kirella insists move to establish national government constitutional  
• Effort to strengthen democracy, fight against extremism and protect people’s sovereignty
• Says MR expanded Cabinet to 60 members when in power   

Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella yesterday defended his party’s decision to form a national government, insisting it was an effort to unify all parties focused on developing the country, strengthening democracy, and upholding the sovereignty of the people.   

Kiriella, who is also the Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandyan Development Minister, issuing a statement said establishing a national government would give the opportunity for all parties that believe in fast-tracking development, fighting extremism, strengthening democracy and protecting the sovereignty of the people to come together.  

“The motion to establish a national government and increase the number of ministers was presented to Parliament in accordance with the Constitution. However, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa worked to increase the number of ministers to 60 when he was in power without considering Parliament or the Constitution,” the statement said. 

Kiriella went on to say that the present Government worked to reverse such actions by introducing the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and under it would have to obtain the support of Parliament to expand the number of Cabinet ministers. 

“The effort of establishing a national government is being undertaken within a democratic framework and in line with the Constitution. Therefore we request the public to remember how those who are now criticising our move to set up a national government behaved when they were attempting to expand the number of Cabinet ministers. We ask them to remember how former President Mahinda Rajapaksa worked in contravention of the Constitution to achieve his political ends,” the statement said.

Kiriella on Friday submitted the motion seeking approval from Parliament to form a national government and it is likely to be debated on 7 February.

As per the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the Government has legal provisions to increase the number of Cabinet ministers to 48 while the number of non-Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers has to be limited to 45.

However, both the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) have on earlier occasions said that they would not join any party to form a national government. The UNP has expressed likelihood of forming a national government with the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), which has a single member who got elected under the party ticket. Other members of the SLMC contested through UNP nominations.