Sri Lankan President in Collision Course with Government

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, May 10, 2003

Sri Lankan President in Collision Course with Government

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga's action to take under her the control a government lottery on Friday has dealt a blow to the country's government of political cohabitation.

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Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga's action to take under her the control a government lottery on Friday has dealt a blow to the country's government of political cohabitation.

The president's office said in a statement that Kumaratunga has taken over the control of the Development Lottery Trust.

The trust, she claimed, was the main contributor to the President's Fund and her action was in no way meant to hurt the government minister who was overlooking its affairs.

Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe representing two political parties bitterly opposed to each other have been locked in an uneasy cohabitation since December 2001 when Wickremesinghe's United National Party won the parliamentary elections.

Wickremesinghe in a letter to Kumaratunga urged the president to reconsider her decision, claiming her action was in violation of Article 44 of the Constitution.

Wickremesinghe maintained that the president is legally bound to consult him in making any changes to the cabinet in light of the current cohabitation government.

Kumaratunga who continues to hold office until December 2005 has the power to dismiss the Wickremesinghe government and call fresh elections.

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