by Zacki Jabbar
Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe said yesterday that the formation of a government of national reconciliation could take place under a leader who commands a majority in parliament.

Addressing the UNP Working Committee meeting at "Sri Kotha" yesterday afternoon Wickremasinghe said that once the government is defeated in parliament or resigns before that, the leader of the single largest party in parliament should be called on to form the next government.

"Thereafter those who are for the formation of a government of national reconciliation and the re-establishment of democracy in the country could get together for whatever duration necessary"

Wickremasinghe had pointed out that as a matter of urgency parliament should be resummoned and the referendum on whether the country needs a new constitution be cancelled,UNP sources said.

"Once parliament is resummoned unfinished business of the house such as the pending no confidence motion on the government and impeachment of the Chief Justice should be taken up for debate so that the people’s elected representatives could decide on what was best for the country" he explained.

Wickremasinghe had pointed out that a government of national reconciliation with a restricted cabinet could also set about making the Presidency answerable to both parliament and the judiciary in addition to establishing the five independent commissions on the public service, judiciary, elections, police and the media which will ensure that future elections could be conducted in a free and fair manner .