(Lanka-e-News- 17.Nov.2014, 11.00PM) The memorandum of understanding (MOU) that was to be signed on the 17 th had to be postponed , it is learnt. This is because of the difficulties experienced in selecting the common opposition candidate . It turned out to be a situation akin to trying to have a wedding without a bride. With several break- away groups of the government trying to join the UNP( the largest opposition party)it is likely these groups may outnumber the present group of UNP MPs .
If the government break away group that is coming to the opposition outnumbers the 42 MPs of the UNP , selecting a common candidate from the government break-away group may become inevitable. Moreover , all have agreed to the MOU on the three conditions set out below , and to sign it after the President makes the official proclamation regarding the date of elections.
1.Within three months of swearing in of the new President , the executive Presidency shall be abolished.
2.Revive the 17 th amendment to the constitution.
3. Introduce a new election system representing the wishes of all sections of the population and all political views.
Apart from these , the other conditions are :
Short term and long term programs to eliminate bribery and corruption ; reinforce and reinstate the rule of law etc.
Another reason that prompted the postponement of the MOU that was to be signed on the 17th was ,the suspicions harbored by the other parties pertaining to Wickremesinghe’s duplicity traits. It is their fear that after instituting a common program , Ranil might plan to creep in as the common candidate.
No matter what ,it is the belief of a majority of the party and organizations that if Ranil contests he will lose. Although a majority of the UNP members have declared that it should be Karu and not Ranil who should be fielded as the common candidate , Ranil has still not expressed his consent. This too has earned the displeasure of the parties for the common program.
In yesterday’s discussion by the campaign for a just society , Ven. Rathane Thera who represents the ‘Pivithuru hetak’ participated. They accepted the three aforementioned conditions of the common program while revealing that after the scheduled discussions with the government on the 18 th, a direct announcement will be made by them on whether they will be leaving the government.
The JVP did not participate in today’s discussions relating to the common program , but at yesterday ‘s discussion it agreed with the three conditions . However they declared they cannot join in a program of a common candidate who cannot win. Their considered opinion is Ranil is a losing candidate, but they are not objectionable to Chandrika or Karu contesting as a common candidate. Incidentally , Ranil had strong motive to sign the MOU on the 17 th because he is travelling overseas on 18th or 19 th.
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by (2014-11-17 21:11:47)
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