UNP can form Govt. if it bags 90 seats: Akila

Tuesday, 25 February 2020 02:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says ambiguity about symbol not a major concern, could be resolved within next two weeks
Claims minority parties will stand with UNP against current Govt.

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday expressed confidence that it can form a Government if the party manages to win 90 seats at the upcoming General Elections.

UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said the party will be able to form a Government if they secured 90 seats in the election. “We only need 90 seats, we can and will form a Government post- elections,” he told reporters at party headquarters Sirikotha.

Akila Viraj Kariyawasam

He argued that the United National Front (UNF) had formed a minority Government in 2015 and functioned under difficult circumstances to deliver development to the public.

Responding to a question on minority parties attempting to form a political alliance to face the General Elections, Kariyawasam downplayed any negative impact it would have on the UNP-led alliance. “In the end we will all stand together against this Government,” he opined, explaining that the UNP had formed coalition based Governments successfully in the past. The UNP is planning a broad alliance which will bring together several like-minded political and civil movements to contest the upcoming elections, he stated. Kariyawasam pointed out the choice of symbol for the proposed alliance matters less and said the need of the hour was for the party to move forward with the alliance in unity. The Elephant or Swan symbol or another symbol may be used by the alliance he stated. However, the General Secretary admitted that his personal preference was to run for elections under the party symbol the “Elephant”.

Commenting on the Government’s attempt to amend the vote on account last week, Kariyawasam claimed that the UNP found some segments of the proposal which they could not support. “However, they (Government) withdrew the proposal quickly, the UNP working group will have to decide on the proposal,” he said responding to question as to if the UNP will support the Government’s request if taken up in Parliament before it is dissolved by the President.