Seven JO MPs to embrace Maithri?

Dec 01, 2017

Seven or more SLFP MPs in the joint opposition are to ally with president Maithripala Sirisena, reports say.

Attempts by groups in both sides at uniting the SLFP and the JO have not been successful, mainly due to the JO’s demand that the SLFP should leave the government. Basil Rajapaksa is behind that demand. However, the Maithri faction has rejected the idea. They are most likely to contest the upcoming polls on its own.

A considerable number in the JO want to join with the president, but Basil and some others have opposed it. He is being accused of trying to destroy the party. They are of the view that Basil and others are trying to create trouble by making unnecessary demands. Therefore, they have come to understand the futility of their attempts at uniting the two sides, and have agreed to ally with the president. Some of them are to receive ministerial portfolios.

Most of them have been accused over fraud and corruption committed during the Rajapaksa regime. Their real reason for the crossover is to escape those charges. They will strengthen the hands of the president after being impressed by the democratic and populist programme of the Yahapaalana government, following the footsteps of a group of UNP MPs that did the same thing during the previous regime.