by Zacki Jabbar

With a view to ensuring that the mandate for good governance obtained by President Maithripala Sirisena at the January 8, Presidential Election was continued , the UNP led United National Front entered into an agreement with 75 political parties, trade unions and civil society organizations in Colombo yesterday.

The UNF comprises the JHU, SLMC , some leading SLFPers , several Tamil parties including some who represent the Estate Tamils, a few left parties and many trade unions and civil society organizations.

The initiative for the pact had been taken by the Citizens Organizations and Trade Union Collective in collaboration with the Convenor of the National Campaign for a Just Society Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera , who had played a leading role in Maithripala Srisena’s campaign for the Presidency.

The agreement was signed by Leader of the UNP and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe ,Sobitha Thera and heads of the 75 political parties, trade Unions and civil society organisations during a ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

A spokesperson for the organisers said that even though the JVP and Democratic Party had not signed the pact, both parties had publicly stated that they were committed to strengthening the January 8 , mandate for good governance.

” So in effect they are with us”, he added.

Courtesy:The Island