UNP’s Grero joins govt

*Crosses floor during budget vote

*Says peace in the country, thanks to President

*Prolonged stay in Opposition won’t serve supporters

Sandasen MARASINGHE, Irangika RANGE and Disna MUDALIGE

UNP Colombo District MP Mohan Lal Grero crossed the well of Parliament and sat with the government yesterday when the vote of the second reading on the Appropriation Bill was taken up by name.

MP Grero was warmly welcomed by Human Resources Senior Minister D E W Gunasekara and the other ministers, deputy ministers and government members.

All government members thumped their desks in jubilation as the member crossed the floor. MP Mohan Lal Grero voted in favour of the second reading of the Appropriation Bill 2012 before he crossed over to the government at 5.23 pm yesterday.

With this cross over the government ranks swelled to 161 MPs while the combined Opposition was reduced to 63 members.

As a prelude to the cross over MP Mohan Lal Grero taking part in the second reading debate yesterday morning spoke in support of the budget.

Participating in the budget debate, he said that the people of this country now enjoy the dividends of peace ushered by President Mahinda Rajapaksa by eliminating terrorism.

The MP also said that sufficient allocations for the education sector have been made in the budget.

“The highest victory that we can give the nation is the development of the education sector to help our fellow countrymen creating a better future for them,” he said.

“I was elected by my voters to contribute my expertise for the development of the education sector. I am now 55 years. I will not be able to achieve the aims of my voters and serve their interests by remaining in the Opposition for some more years,” he said.

The MP also thanked his colleagues in the Opposition for their support and assistance.