Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunge has said that three United National Party Western Provincial Councillors have already expressed their willingness to join the Government. Addressing a news conference held at the Sarasvathi Mandiraya today, the Chief Minister said that another group is willing to cross over to the Government at the forthcoming Presidential elections.
The Chief Minister said that three of the UNP Councillors had discussions with him. But the issue is the number of vacancies they had in the selection of candidates for the polls. The Government is represented by 71 of the 104 Councillors. Also there are at least two or three members in one electorate. As such vacancies are limited. He mentioned that they were focusing more attention on the forthcoming Presidential elections. He added that during this election, many UNP members would be joining them.
In the meantime the Western Province Chief Minister forecast a landslide victory for the Government at the forthcoming Provincial Council polls.
Mr. Ranatunge said that since 2005, the Opposition was not a challenge to them. There is a conflict within the group. In the UNP there are group leaders. There is an issue as to how the people would cast their vote without stability in the Opposition. He said that the Government is facing this election with better stability. In the past there was a war and elections were held when people lacked relief.
Also at the last Provincial elections, the North Central polls were held when there was a drought and many said it would be hard for the Government to win. They had full confidence in the people. The Chief Minister said he was optimistic that the Government would do better in the upcoming polls that in the previous polls.
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