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UNF withdraws peace support
By Ranjith Ananda Jayasinghe
The opposition UNF has decided not to support the government on the peace process, accusing the UPFA of trying to destabilise the party by luring its MPs with offers of portfolios, The Sunday Times’ sister paper Irida Lankadeepa reports.

The UNF also has decided to withdraw its support to the government on other areas. UNF leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has conveyed his party's position to Norwegian Ambassador Hans Bratskaar, Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao and the diplomatic community, pointing out instances where the government had tried to destabilise the UNF.

On November 18, UNF member Rohitha Bogollagama joined the government and was sworn in as Minister of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise. Prior to this, the UPFA succeeded in luring three dissident SLMC MPs and winning the support of the UNF ally, the CWC, which has seven MPs. Speculation was rife that several other UNF MPs were being approached by the UPFA which is said to be promising them ministerial portfolios, although the size of the cabinet has exceeded the 35-member ceiling pledged in the UPFA election manifesto. The total number of ministers and deputy ministers now stands at 81, which is much higher than the total during the previous government.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga has been canvassing for the support of the UNF and met Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe prior to her India visit a few weeks ago. To prove that the UNF meant business, the party's parliamentary group, meeting hours before the vote on the maiden budget of the UPFA -- took a decision yesterday to vote against the budget. Addressing the group, UNF leader Wickremesinghe advised the MPs to work in unity and avoid internal strife.

The UNP leader said the UPFA budget was one that could not be implemented successfully and the party had decided to oppose it.

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