President Invites UNP To Join Cabinet

President Rajapakse has invited the opposition United National Party to take cabinet positions as part of an effort to reach consensus on key national issues between government and opposition parties.
Representatives of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and United National Party met earlier today to discuss a Memorandum of Understanding between the parties.
A statement from the Presidential Secretariat said the MOU was to be expedited, while a source said the MOU may be signed before the end of the month.
“The President also said there was an opportunity for other political parties
to also join with the Government to help overcome the challenges faced by
the country today,” the statement said.
The UNP delegations included Leader of the Opposition and party leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya, G. L. Peiris, Milinda Moragoda, Mr. Rukman Senanayake, Mr. John Amaratunga, Ravi Karunanayake and former Chairman Mr. Malik Samarawickrema.
The SLFP delegates were Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Leader of the House - Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Minister Susil Premajayatha.
Separate discussions between Rajapaksa and Wickramasinghe were also held.