Monks' party to join UPFA government

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 January 2007, 10:36 GMT]
The parliamentary group of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), all monks' party in Sri Lanka parliament is to take a decision late Tuesday on a proposal to join the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UNP) government and accept minister post.

The parliamentary strength of the JHU is nine and all parliamentarians are monks.

The post of Ministry of Environment and Samurdhi (Poverty Alleviation) has not been filled in the recent major cabinet reshuffle.

Political sources in Colombo said that President Mahinda Rajapakse has been waiting for the decision of the JHU to fill this post. If JHU decides to join the government, a nominee of the JHU would be appointed as Minister.