Over 40 Govt. MPs decide to sit independently

The government lost its 2/3 parliamentary majority today after several coalition parties and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs announced that they will sit independently in Parliament. 

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa announced that a group of MPs comprised of himself, John Seneviratne, Susil Premajayantha, Chandima Weerakkody, Nalin Fernando, Nimal Lanza, Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Priyankara Jayaratne, Roshan Ranasinghe, Arundika Fernando and Jayaratne Herath would hereafter sit as an independent group in Parliament. 

However, MP Arundika Fernando raised objections to him being put in the independent group, stating that while he was "ashamed" at the current turmoil and not being able to deliver for the people, now was "not the time for anarchy." He insisted he has still not taken a decision to function independently. 

Nationa Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa meanwhile, said 16 MPs representing their coalition parties will also function independenly. Accordingly, himself, Udaya Gammanpila, Vasudewa Nanayakkara, Tissa Vitharana, Tiran Alles, Ven. Athuraliya Rathana Thera, Gevindu Kumaratunga, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, Asanka Nawaratne, Mohammed Muzammil, Nimal Piyatissa, Gamini Waleboda, A.L.M. Athaullah, Gayashan Nawananda, Jayantha Samaraweera and Uddika Premaratne will function in this group, he added. 

MP Nawananda though, later made a statement stressing that he had taken no such decision and if he is to function as an independent, he would make that statement himself. 

Making a special statement, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Leader, former President Maithripala Sirisena said the 14 SLFP MPs in Parliament would also function as an independent group. 

Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), which has two MPs, will also sit independently, the party announced.

MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe already sit as an independent. Accordingly, at least 41 Government MPs are now sitting independently.