UPFA MP joins opposition in parliament

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 14 November 2007, 16:19 GMT]
A national list parliamentarian of the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA), Wijedasa Rajapakse, Wednesday crossed from government side to the opposition when the parliament resumed its sitting to continue the debate of the 2008 Budget proposals presented by the SL President Mahinda Rajapakse for the fourth day, parliamentary sources said. Mr. Wijedasa Rajapakse is the chairman of the COPE, a parliamentary select to probe the malpractices and irregularities in the ministries and statutory boards coming under the government

Wijedasa Rajapakse walked to the opposition side and requested the Speaker Mr.W.J.M.Lokkubandara to allocate a seat in the opposition and time to make a special statement on his decision to quit from government side.

Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, chief government whip and a minister protested that Wijedasa Rajapakse should not be allocated a seat in the opposition and not to accede his request.

However, the Speaker allowed Wijedasa Rajapakse to proceed and to make a statement. Rajapakse said he took the decision to change side without any compulsion and inducement. He reminded the house that he had worked for the victory of Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa in the 2005 presidential election.