Another opposition MP joins government

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 08 August 2000, 06:54 GMT]
Another opposition MP crossed over to the government during the debate on the new constitution bill in the Sri Lankan Parliament Tuesday amidst general pandemonium in the house. The United National Party raised a point of order that the Mervyn de Silva, the MP who crossed over, was given an opportunity to speak as soon as he had sat in the government benches. The UNP accused Silva of taking a large bribe from the government for crossing over.

The UNP's objection was overruled by the speaker. Earlier Mr.Vasudeva Nanayakkara, outspoken left wing MP for Ratnapura was shouted down by government ranks when he was speaking on the bill.