REFUGEE

Reliable sources say several key SLFP ministers have decided to support former party leader and President Chandrika Kumaratunge shortly as a mark of protest against the dictatorship of the Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) Front.

The group reportedly includes 12 ministers and 18 electoral organizers and they are to join forces with Kumaratunge as soon as either the general or Presidential election is called. Although some members of the group have proposed to join Mangala Samaraweera’s group and contest the next election through the UNF, majority of the members have said they should join the opposition alliance as a separate group.

Meanwhile, sources from the Opposition Leader’s Office said that several government ministers have already held secret discussions with the UNP Leader to join the party and contest through it at the next general election.