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Government top brass at a recent exclusive powwow were taking stock of the general political situation in the country.  Their attention turned to the irritable presence of an adversary at the Western Council openly hostile to both the Maithri faction of the SLFP and the Green party.

Their general agreement was that this common foe, the provincial Chief could be reduced to a nonentity the moment the ruling power was switched over to the group led by the Greens.

Now the affidavits are ready to bring about the proposed change in the power equation. What is stalling the move is the indecision over the choice of a successor and the new board of Ministers.

An overture was made to the Reds and the response, though not negative was not in the affirmative either.     They were prepared to extend critical support to the proposed new administration without a direct hand in it. The General’s party is willing, but wants a Ministerial portfolio in exchange for their support.

The process already set in motion will come to a head shortly leading to the taking of a hard decision whether the incumbent Chief will stay put or will go, they say.