Four UNP MPs to join Government - Minister

* Crossover probably next week

* Another Green holding discussions

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

COLOMBO: Four UNP MPs are set to join the Government within the next few days, Nation Building and Infrastructure Development Minister S.M. Chandrasena said yesterday.

The Minister said the Government was in the final stage of discussions with the would be cross overs from the UNP whom he described as “progressives”. Addressing the media Chandrasena said the four Parliamentarians have expressed their desire to join the Government to strengthen President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s hand.

“These Parliamentarians have pointed out that the Government had liberated the East from the LTTE’s clutches and that it was the duty of everyone to strengthen the President’s hands to see through victory in the North as well,” the Minister said.

Hence the UNP Parliamentarians have declared their willingness to join the Government to support the President to achieve this objective, Chandrasena said.

According to the Minister preliminary discussions with the four MPs concluded successfully and now they were at the final stage. “Most probably these MPs will join the Government by next week.

In addition another ‘progressive’ UNP Parliamentarian was engaged in discussions to join the Government,” he said.

The Minister said the Government would offer a Cabinet, two non-Cabinet and a Deputy Minister portfolios to the four who will cross over.