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President
rushes back but JVP insists Cooray must go
The President is rushing back from her now more than a fortnight long private visit to Britain and France to attend a meeting called by her to seek a compromise with the JVP before the no-confidence motion is taken up in the Western Provincial Council on Tuesday . She is leaving London today and will arrive in Colombo tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Cooray's future hangs in the balance with the 23-member strong JVP threatening to withdraw support for him, and thus paving the way for the 45-member UNP-led opposition to defeat the Chief Minister in the 101-member council. The SLFP has 36 members. Six SLMC members and two other opposition members have also pledged support for the no-confidence motion, council sources said. JVP group leader Waruna Deeptha Rajapakse said whatever the outcome of the crisis meeting with President Kumaratunga, his party would not support the chief minister. He said the JVP's stand was that the motion was against an individual and his conduct and not against the party. Thus the only solution was to elect a new chief minister. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Cooray has warned that he will request Governor Alavi Moulana to dissolve the council and go for fresh elections. The UNP has moved the motion against Mr. Cooray on 11 charges including corruption and misuse of power in appointment of teachers and principals, appointing under-qualified persons in the education sector, issuing of bus permits, not taking appropriate action for tsunami relief and rehabilitation and misappropriation of funds in a garbage deal with a private company. |
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