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Just completing its first month in office, the UNF is fast coming to realise that the main problems it faces are from within and not from outside. With a majority of just two seats in parliament, party self-discipline cannot be expected to take pride of place in the government's agenda. This is especially so given that it is a coalition, albeit not as motley as the People's Alliance was, that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe heads.

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News

The government has decided to investigate allegations of promoting crime, shielding criminals, and corruption, against President Chandrika Kumaratunga with a view to forwarding an impeachment resolution.This decision was taken at a meeting on December 31 on a proposal made by Minister of Transport, Aviation and Highways Gamini Athukorale. It was the last meeting Minister Athukorale participated in, before his demise. The meeting was presided by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and other members present included Ministers Karu Jayasuriya, S. B. Dissanayake and G. L. Peiris.

FAREWELL FRIEND: It was a poignant moment for Prime MInister Ranil Wickremesinghe as he paid his respects to departed friend and colleague Gamini Athukorale, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, who passed away on January 1. Paying their respects at parliament also are Leader of the Opposition Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Speaker Joseph Michael Perera and ministers of the present government.

Sports

The Lankans riding high after their sixth consecutive Test victory, which incidently is a record in the Asian region and in quest of a seventh successive triumph, commenced their second Test against Zimbabwe on a promising note at Asgiriya on Friday with the spinning wizard, Muttiah Muralitharan being on the verge of becoming the world's third bowler to capture all ten wickets in an innings in a Test match.

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Farewell Gamini!

Power-cuts: light at the end of the tunnel?