40 dissident MPs to sit in Opposition from this week

A group of dissident MPs of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will sit in the Opposition in Parliament from this week.

The group includes MPs of the 11-party alliance led by former Ministers Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila, SLFP MPs as well as another group within the SLPP.

Representatives of the three groups will hand over letters to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, asking him to allocate seats for them in the Opposition.

Meanwhile the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya is expected to hand over a no-confidence motion against the Government tomorrow.

As no-confidence motions take precedence over usual business of the House, an early date is likely to be allocated for the debate.

Parliament will meet for four days this week starting from tomorrow.