"We will hold elections by toppling the government" - S.B.

COLOMBO (News 1st): UPFA MP S. B. Dissanayake said at a press briefing that Mahinda Rajapaksa had one vote higher than Ranil Wickremesinghe when courts decided that the latter claimed the majority in Parliament. He went on to say that PM Wickremesinghe has no majority in parliament, to-date. MP Dissanayake also stated that the TNA is a part of the ruling party as they voted in favour of the vote on account, and supported Ranil Wickremesinghe to claim a majority. Therefore, the MP said, the TNA has "no right to request for the position of opposition leader". "The speaker accepts Mahinda Rajapaksa as the leader of the opposition and there is no other option than to accept this fact. I'd like to say to our good friend Sumanthiran that he is now the owner and operator of the UNP." he added. MP Dissanayake also said that it is "baseless" to point fingers at opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, as it is the UPFA who decide whether he (MR) is still a part of the UPFA or not. "We will provide our support to hold elections. If elections are not called, we will proceed to hold elections by toppling the government if we have to. In case we do so, we are ready to form a new one." he added.

"President has the right"

Speaking on the matter of Cabinet appointments, UPFA MP Dilan Perera stated that it is the president who decides on the number of ministers. "According to article 43, the president has the right to change the portfolios of the present cabinet, as well as refrain from making appointments." Referring to the case of Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, MP Dilan Perera stated that the president "does not have to consider the Prime Minister's opinion when changing portfolios of ministers who have already been appointed".