Call for unity cabinet in Sri Lanka

Updated: 07:37, Saturday, 8 November 2003

Sri Lanka's president has called for a national unity cabinet with her rival, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe.

Chandrika Kumaratunga, Televised address Chandrika Kumaratunga, Televised address

Sri Lanka's president has called for a national unity cabinet with her rival, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe.

In a televised address, Chandrika Kumaratunga justified her decision last week to sack ministers and suspend parliament, over concessions she alleged they made to secure a ceasefire with the Tamil Tigers.

Speaking hours after lifting emergency rule, she accused Mr Wickramasinghe of 'wilful neglect' of the military that had endangered Sri Lanka's security.

But she signalled her intention to abide by a ceasefire and said the Prime Minister could continue to run the peace process.

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