Government bigwigs have launched an operation to rescue the bellicose John from the No-Confidence Motion hanging over him like the Sword of Damocles.
Negotiations aimed at working out a win-win situation with all parties represented in Diyawanna House have got underway, they say.
However, a sizable group in the opposition is said to be insisting that Police be brought under the direct purview of the new Big Boss maintaining that they are not prepared to give their nod to any other compromise solution.
Meanwhile, the Blues in the Western Council are set to pass a motion expressing support for the No-Confidence Motion.
All indications are that there will be a general election sooner than expected if the opposition refuses to relent to the opposition move, they say.
