Political parties mired in crisis

COLOMBO (News1st): The Sri Lanka Freedom Party has said it is not happy with the manner in which it has been treated despite supporting the government to win a two-thirds majority. "Until this problem is solved, I will repeat and highlight this matter everywhere," SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said Saturday. He made these remarks in the wake of a meeting involving 11 constituent parties of the government at the SLFP. Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, said that although parties have the right to hold discussions, the contents of such meetings cannot remain a secret. "The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna will not bow down or be intimidated by any party," Abeygunawardana noted. Vasudeva Nanayakkara, the leader of the Democratic Leftist Front, said that a decision has not been reached on whether the government's constituent parties will hold separate May Day rallies. "...all parties will be meeting the prime minister on the 19th to reach a final decision regarding this matter," he said. Government lawmakers expressed contradictory views on the provincial council elections. "We believe that the provincial council elections can be held by the end of this year," minister Namal Rajapaksa said. However, minister Wimal Weerawansa insisted that the polls cannot be held until the necessary laws are passed in parliament. "Divisions should be created and views regarding this matter should be obtained from the general public," Rajapaksa noted.