"Manusha has not joined the UNP" - Dept. Min. Nishantha Muthuhettigama

Colombo (News1st): Deputy Minister of Ports and Shipping Nishantha Muthuhettigama expressing his views to the media in Galle stated that the ruling party is capping its members. Muthuhettigama added that some of the caps fall off but that he was confident that all these caps would eventually end up with them. Journalists questioned about the MP Manusha Nanayakkara's resignation and crossover. Responding to this he said that Manusha has not joined the UNP, he has just resigned from his position as deputy minister due to some issues. He added that there are few more days to go until the 14, and they hope to re-established their majority. Deputy Minister Muthuhettigama noted that they already have 113 MPs on their side and by tomorrow evening they will be joined by Rishad Baithudeen and Rauf Hakeem. UPFA Parliamentarian Ranjith Soyza speaking about Manusha Nanayakkara stated that he has submitted his resignation to the President and anyone who looks at his political history can see that he is a person who acted for his personal gains. He added that he has signed a letter in English typed out by someone and is spending his time luxuriously at a 5-star hotel in Singapore. MP Soyza noted that currently there is an allegation that those who cross over to Mahinda Rajapaksa's side have received bribes, but the UPFA believes that the people who cross over from this side to the other have received something. He went onto note that they are saddened by the situation that Manusha Nanayakkara has fallen to, but his decisions can be changed in the future.