by Sahan Tennekoon in The Morning online, Apr 13, 2023
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Opposition Parliamentarian Dr. Rajitha Senaratne yesterday (12) claimed that there is no opposition from the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs against him as has been claimed by some of the SJB MPs, as Government Party MPs are willing to take him to the Government.

He said this when he was contacted by The Daily Morning to inquire about the rumours that some SLPP MPs have opposed his alleged crossover. “I cannot understand why these SJB MPs propagate such false news. Members of the SLPP have expressed their willingness to my crossover. Obviously, they will be very happy if I come to the Government. Members like Rohitha Abeygunawardana and Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that they will welcome me if I come. Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that he has no problem with my crossover. What else can be expected from the SLPP’s end other than this,” he said.

Senaratne also said that there is no basis in the hateful comments expressed by those SJB MPs. “Whether I go to the Government or not is my decision. I make decisions according to my conscience. It does not matter where I am. These days, the SJB MPs are not on good terms with me. I don’t know why but they have been frightened by the rumours,” he said.

Recently, SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha had claimed that there is strong opposition from the SLPP MPs to Dr. Senaratne possibly joining the Government and that this opposition has caused the delay of his crossover.

There were rumours that Dr. Senaratne would support the Government of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Previously, several MPs who were elected to the Parliament representing the SJB joined the current Government and assumed Ministerial positions. Among them are SJB National List MP Diana Gamage, who supported the Government since the time of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and later crossed over and became the State Minister of Tourism, and MPs Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando, who assumed the portfolios of Labour and Foreign Employment Minister, and Tourism and Lands Minister, respectively, after Wickremesinghe’s appointment as the Prime Minister under Rajapaksa’s Presidency.
https://www.themorning.lk/articles/vNEtbnpm3zPxcZ6BfwmL