Mahinda Rajapaksa fears loosing chance of extension of term as SL president - UNP spokesman

[TamilNet, Friday, 16 July 2010, 11:57 GMT]
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa due to fear of loosing chance to extend his term as president has invited the main opposition United National Party (UNP) to talks when he realized that talks with the main Tamil political group Tamil National Alliance (TNA) would not yield positive results, Dayasiri Jayasekara, UNP media spokesman and parliamentarian said Thursday in a press briefing held in the UNP office in Colombo. “UNP will never betray the country and the party by holding talks with Mahinda Rajapaksa,” Dayasiri Jayasekara said.

"Mahinda Rajapaksa who is only keen on extending his term as president needs the support of TNA to obtain the needed two thirds majority in the parliament and when attempts to get TNA support failed he immediately invited UNP," he further said.

“UNP has not concealed issues affecting people fearing the government and the demonstrations held by UNP demanding constitutional amendment, implementation of 17th amendment, efficient governance to bring down the cost of living have been successful,” UNP spokesman said.

“The government should immediately implement the 17th amendment to ensure good governance in the country,” Dayasiri Jayasekara said.