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UPFA breakup: Fallout in WPC tomorrow
By Santhush Fernando
The political fallout from the breakup of the UPFA government is to be played out in the Western Provincial Council tomorrow when the long-drawn crisis over Chief Minster Reginold Cooray comes to a head.

Adding to the uncertainty and possible chaos, Mr. Cooray who was earlier reported to be ready to step down is now saying he won’t quit.
With the JVP insisting on Mr. Cooray’s removal and its members likely to cross over tomorrow, the ruling alliance will have only 39 members while the opposition including the JVP will have 65.

WPC Opposition Leader Kithsiri Kahatapitiya said they were going ahead with the motion against Mr. Cooray. He acknowledged that there had been some discussions between the government and the UNP but said his party leadership had not directed that the no-confidence motion be withdrawn.

The situation is equally uncertain in the other six provincial councils, which have all been controlled by the UPFA since the election in June last year. The ruling alliance now finds itself in a minority status in all provincial councils except Uva where there is a tie.

In the Uva, North-Western and Sabaragamuw PCs, trouble is brewing with speculation of no-confidence motions against the chief ministers on corrupt charges.

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