UNP accuses JVP of 'playing a tactical game' at the budget vote

The United National Party (UNP) says however it has not given up attempts to topple the government.

UNP General Secretary, Tissa Attanayake, said many other senior members from the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) were about to cross over had the momentum was with the opposition.

'Pro-public' party

"We did play our role. Now the country knows that only UNP represents the general public in Sri Lanka," he told BBC Sandeshaya.

National heritage minister Anura Bandaranaike crossed over to the opposition just hours ahead of the crucial vote.

Government's saviour  We did not have to save the government because they had 114 votes JVP MP, Vijitha Herath

The government won the vote for the third reading of the budget with a 47-majority.

The JVP that voted against the budget for the second reading on 19 November, abstained from voting on Friday.

"What is the policy of the JVP ?" Tissa Attanayake questioned.

JVP 'now patriotic'

JVP's last minute decision to abstain from voting was a hailed as a 'patriotic move' by Buddhist monk -led Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU).

	Party acted against 'political conspiracies', says the JVP

JHU leader Ellawala Medhananda thero thol BBC Sandeashaya that individuals or parties amy change their policies and strategies from time to time.

JHU strongman, Environmental Affairs minister Champika Ranawaka, accused the JVP of supporting 'Tamil Tiger agenda' after the party voted against the budget on 19 November.

But the JVP's latest move can be described as a patriotic one, Medhananada thero said.

"Todays' victory, I must emphasise, was a strong slap on the face for international and all other unpatriotic conspirators," the thero told BBC Sinhala.com.

Government's saviour

The JVP, meanwhile added that the party still oppose the budget proposed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as Finance Minister.

But the party decided at the last moment to defeat 'political conspiracies' by abstaining in the vote for the third reading, JVP legislator Vijitha Herath said.

	JHU leader says JVP which was 'pro-LTTE' earleir is now 'patriotic'

"We noticed many in the ruling party joined with the conspirators in the opposition," he said.

The former JVP minister denied the party acted to protect Rajapaksa government because many JVP parliamentarians were worried about their pensions had the government was forced to call for fresh elections.

Sri Lankan parliamentarians are entitled to pension only after completing five years in office.

'Unpatriotic conspiracies'

Vijitha Herath also categorically denied the party's action resulted in government emerging victorious in the vote.

"We did not have to save the government because they had 114 votes," he said.

There has been a strong change in the parliamentary power structure just because JVP changed their stance at the last moment UNP Gen. Sec. Tissa Attanayake

But the UNP General Secretary said many legislators were waiting to support the opposition had the JVP voted against the budget.

"There has been a strong change in the parliamentary power structure just because JVP changed their stance at the last moment " Tissa Attanayake said.

Political parties representing minorites, including the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) and Up Country peoples Front (UPF), were reported to be ready to vote against the budget had the JVP joined the opposition.