Sri Lanka ex
Maithripala Sirisena
The unexpectedly strong showing could lead to defections away from the centre-left party led by  President Maithripala Sirisena   a partner in the countryâs coalition government  analysts said  creating instability in the legislature.
Rajapaksaâs Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)  a party formed by breakaway members of  Sirisenaâ  party  has secured 97 local bodies out of results for 139 councils so far released as at 0650 GMT. The UNP took control of 18 councils and SLFP six.
The president and his supporters have opposed or neutralised many of the UNP reforms. Under the constitution   Sirisena  cannot dissolve the parliament until early 2020  while the parliament needs a two-third majority to impeach the president.
 Sirisena  has said  he  wants to take charge of the economy  which is currently handled by the UNP  and has blamed the prime ministerâs party for failing to tackle corruption.
The unexpectedly strong showing could lead to defections away from the centre-left party led by  President  [TGT]    a partner in the countryâs coalition government  analysts said  creating instability in the legislature.
Rajapaksaâs Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)  a party formed by breakaway members of  Sirisenaâ  party  has secured 97 local bodies out of results for 139 councils so far released as at 0650 GMT. The UNP took control of 18 councils and SLFP six.
The president and his supporters have opposed or neutralised many of the UNP reforms. Under the constitution   Sirisena  cannot dissolve the parliament until early 2020  while the parliament needs a two-third majority to impeach the president.
 Sirisena  has said  he  wants to take charge of the economy  which is currently handled by the UNP  and has blamed the prime ministerâs party for failing to tackle corruption.