Nonetheless, it was a forgone conclusion for anyone that the government enjoyed a majority, and therefore, such a motion by a section of the Opposition would not secure its passage through the House. The Joint Opposition (JO), by all means, would have known this because it ventured out to move the motion. Yet, it proceeded. Then, who was in a political predicament? It was none other than the SLFP section remaining with the government sharing ministerial responsibilities. On the day of the debate in the House last week, it appeared to be a Herculean task for these members to take a stand. Voting for the motion would have jeopardised their positions in the government. Voting against would have embarrassed them before the rank and file of SLFP, harbouring anti-government thoughts at the moment. They opted for the second despite the political cost involved