Corruption compounded

Apart from personal advantage, it is possible that there were other reasons for Wijetunge to cling to so many portfolios. The bureaucrats who had run these ministries previously could be relied upon to maintain continuity more effectively than the politicians. Certainly the UNP as now constituted suffered from a singular lack of talent. He was also keen to woo the DUNF, and needed to have some ministries available for them if the move succeeded.

It was certainly a possibility, since the DUNF rhetoric had been primarily anti-Premadasa, and there were no essential differences of policy. Dissanayake, who had even contemplated the idea of going back while Premadasa was alive, had indicated that he favoured the idea. If he went over, it was likely that the rest would have to follow since, with Athulathmudali dead, there was likelihood of a paucity of resources, and no one with enough electoral appeal to attract votes.

And there were certainly very good personal reasons for Wijetunge to want the DUNF back. He had got where he was because he had been seen as Premadasa's man, but from the time he took over the Presidency he showed determination to distance himself from his predecessor. He argued that the UNP had lost support to the DUNF, and it made political sense to try to get the DUNF back to revive the earlier majority.