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PA coalition likely to be sworn in Friday

A People's Alliance coalition government, headed by Ratnasiri Wickremanayae, is likely to be sworn in Friday afternoon, official sources said.

The PA has emerged as the single largest party bagging 107 seats in the 225-member cabinet. Two of its allies National Unity Allaince of former minister A M H Ashraff with four seats and Eelam Peoples Democratic Party of Douglas Devananda with five seats have already pledged support to the PA.

Raff Hakkem, leader of the NUA, Friday said he had a prolonged discussions Thursday night with President Chandrika Kumaratunga and he put forth some conditions to join the government. It is, however, not immediately known whether the president has accepted all conditions.

However, Hakeem expressed confidence that the PA could form a government.

The president had already invited the PA on Thursday to form a government on the basis of the seats secured in the just-concluded parliamentary elections.

The United National Party, which secured 89 seats, came second and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna emerged as the third force with ten seats.

Uncertainity still prevails over the final decision of the NUA which has put several conditions to join the coalition government.

UNI

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