UNF threatens to call snap elections

The ruling United National Front (UNF) has resolved to put forward three demands to President Chandrika Kumaratunga seeking her consent for legislative measures aimed at facilitating the cohabitation agreement between the government and the executive.

The UNF has threatened to call snap polls if it fails to get presidential support.

The Working Committee of the United National Party (UNP), the main constituent party of the UNF coalition, was last night due to endorse the decision taken at a meeting of UNF District organisers at Temple Trees presided over by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday.

The UNF will be writing to Kumaratunga on the issue giving her 10 days for the response. The ruling UNF Parliamentary group is due to be briefed about the decision today where they will also be told to prepare for a possible snap poll, party sources said.

Wickremesinghe told his ministers and district organisers that if the conflict between the executive and the government continues in a manner that obstructs the peace process and economic development, the option of seeking a fresh mandate from the people would be considered.

The cohabitation arrangement has reached a low point in recent weeks with some of the ministers openly clashing with Kumaratunga.

Sunday's meeting of district organisers, including ministers and provincial leaders, was organised to discuss the impasse where the government has not been able to pass a vote of conscience bill which enables MPs to vote according to their will.

Along with it, the government also wants to push through an amendment which prevents the president from dissolving Parliament, a year after the last elections were held.

There has been growing speculation that the government was preparing for a snap general election in the wake of the present tug-of war between the government and the president.

Sunday's meeting lasted for over two hours where they focussed on three major issues to be put forward to President Kumaratunga for her consent.

The UNF is seeking President's support for the Conscience Bill, scrapping the right of the President to dissolve parliament after a year and the reintroduction of the Executive Committee system.

PA Parliamentarian and former minister W.D.J. Seneviratne said holding an election was inadvisable at this juncture, particularly when the government was grappling with problems on several fronts and the economy had not improved.

"We have faced major elections for three consecutive years since 1999 and we should think of the cost of these elections," Seneviratne said.