MASS CROSSOVERS TOMORROW

By Ravi Ladduwahetty of Ceylon Today

Mass scale crossovers are expected from both the government to the Opposition and vice versa on Monday, coinciding with the vote on the Third Reading of the 2015 Budget.

A large number of Ministers and Members of Parliament will be crossing over, from the government, to the Opposition following Friday's announcement that former SLFP General Secretary and Health Minister, Maithipala Sirisena would be the Opposition's common presidential candidate, authoritative political sources told Ceylon Today.

UNP Spokesman and Galle District MP, Gayantha Karunatilleke, also confirmed that there would be mass scale crossovers across the Well of the House on the final day of the final reading of the 2015 Budget. But, he was tightlipped on the numbers.

Former Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, while confirming to Ceylon Today that there would be mass scale crossovers from the government to the Opposition, said that it would be done in different stages as planned.

Asked for the names and the numbers, he said: "I cannot talk right now, but, you will have to wait and see!."

Meanwhile, Government Spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told Ceylon Today that there were a large number of Opposition MPs, who were waiting to join the government, but he was extremely tightlipped on the numbers.

"I am not at liberty to talk right now, the minister said, speaking from a wedding ceremony in Kandy yesterday.

Rambukwella reiterated the comments that he made at the weekly post Cabinet news conference, that the Sri Lankan political landscape had proved that there were numerous crossovers at these times.