UNP moves to form national government

• Kiriella says party confident of finding coalition partners to form national government
• Says the motion put forward seeking parliamentary approval likely be debated on 7 Feb.
• Says Cabinet likely to increase but will be less than 48, Non-Cabinet Ministers to be 45

By Chathuri Dissanayake 

Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella yesterday submitted a motion to the Secretary General of Parliament, informing him that the United National Party (UNP) wishes to form a national government for which it needs parliamentary approval.

Kiriella, who is also the Minister of Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandyan Development, submitted the motion seeking approval from Parliament to form a national government, which is likely to be debated on 7 February.

“The motion will be debated on 7 February, and we will form the national government after it is approved in Parliament,” Kiriella told Daily FT. 

The motion reads “Leader of the House of Parliament and Minister of Public Enterprise, Kandyan Heritage and Kandyan Development – Determination under the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka – whereas the United National Party, which obtained the highest number of seats in Parliament, has formed a national government, Parliament determines in terms of Article 46 (4) of the Constitution of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka that the number of Ministers in the Cabinet of Ministers shall not exceed 48 and that number of Ministers who are not Cabinet Ministers and the number of Deputy Ministers shall not exceed 45”. 

The UNP has begun negotiating with a number of political parties to form a national government, the Minister, said expressing confidence in finalising a new coalition partner once the parliamentary debate concludes on the matter. 

“We have started discussions with several parties, and we have a few parties who are willing to partner with us. We can very comfortably form the national government, but we don’t want to reveal names at this stage as there are forces waiting to sabotage the process,” the Minister said.

“We are very confident in finding our coalition partner.”

However both Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) have on earlier occasions said that they will not join any party to form a national government. The UNP has expressed likelihood of forming a national government with 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.

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 Kiriella was confident that the number can be less.

“We can appoint up to 48 Cabinet Ministers as per the Constitution, but I think we can manage with a number below that,” he said.