We will strengthen Govt to resolve national problem - UNP Democratic Group Leader

Shirley Wijesinghe

MAHARAGAMA: A virtual national government is in place today with the decision of the UNP Democratic Group to support the present Government, Its leader Minister Karu Jayasuriya told the special convention held at National Youth Services Council Auditorium on Saturday.

"Our aim is to strengthen the Government with the necessary support to resolve the national problem. Our decision to support the administration was prompted by a request of all ethnic groups," Minister Jayasuriya stated.

He said they joined the Government to achieve four main targets, chief of which is to find a political solution to the national problem. They also wanted to provide relief to those UNP supporters who were politically victimised.

Thirdly their group wanted to direct the Government on the correct economic path and lastly to bring an end to the contentious and acrimonious political culture that has beset the polity. He said they had so far achieved significant progress since more than 70 per cent of their aspirations have been fulfilled, he cited.

He asserted that the UNP Executive Committee has made a decision to cooperate with President Mahinda Rajapaksa. But party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe decided not to do so. His decision was supported only by a few members of the party.

The group also submitted 10 proposals related to the practise of good governance. The Minister said that our group would do the best to unite the nation and establish democracy in all parts of the country.

The frontline members, the democratic group including Ministers Milinda Moragoda, G. L. Peiris, Bandula Gunawardane were among the participants.