2 UNP MPs cross over to UPFA

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 16 December 2009, 13:36 GMT]
Two parliamentarians from the main opposition United national Party (UNP) Wednesday extended their support to the ruling Mahinda Rajapaksa government, a day ahead of nominations for the up coming presidential elections to be held on January 26. Krunegala District MPs Johnston Fernando and Indika Bandaranayake made their intentions known at a joint press conference held in Colombo on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr. Johnston Fernando and Mr. Indika Bandaranayake said they were forced to take this decision as the leadership of their party led by Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe was 'weak' and and heading 'nowhere'.

Both are also against the presidential common candidate, former army commander General (Retd) Sarath Fonseka who is backed by the UNP for the January 26 elections.

They had demanded that the UNP fields a candidate from within the party instead of an outsider.

The pair are also against the presidential common candidate, former army commander General (Retd.) Sarath Fonseka who is been backed by the UNP for the January 26 elections.

Last week another UNP heavyweight S. B. Dissanayake, who was the party’s all island organizer also crossed over to the Government side.

Dissanayake was also the opposition leader in the Central Provincial Council when he decided to take the decision of joining the SLFP.

Chronology: