By Yohan Perera   

Chief Government Whip- Highways Minister Johnston Fernando confirmed that there would be changes in party compositions in Parliament soon but refused to name the Opposition MPs who were planning to crossover to the ruling faction.  

Responding to journalists’ queries during a ceremony held at Kandy to launch development of the road stretch from the Kandy-Heerassagala Junction to the Kandy Railway Station into a four-lane road, the Minister said, “I will not give away the names. However there are many from the Opposition ranks that contacted us and expressed their willingness to join forces with the Government. We have the trump card. We are ready to play them at the right time.”  

When asked to give the exact number of Opposition MPs talking with the government to switch sides, the Minister said: “I will not reveal the figure. However, Sajith Premadasa is trying to save his Opposition Leader’s post. Anura Kumara Dissanayake is trying to save his party leadership. We are not going to reveal our strategies. You will see when the time comes. They are convinced that the incumbent Opposition could never defeat the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.”  

The Minister commenting on the government’s talks with minor and minority party leaders, said that many such leaders were already working with the government while sitting in the Opposition. “We have an understanding with many such parties. Some have initiated discussions to join the government. They are convinced that they do not have a political future with Sajith Premadasa as the Opposition Leader,” he said.  

Answering a query whether the Opposition MPs would cross over at the budget debate, the Minister said that he would not tell the exact time. “If we reveal the time, the Opposition would prepare a plan to disrupt everything. All you have to do is to wait and see,” the Minister responded.

-The Minister commenting on the government’s talks with minor and  minority party leaders, said that many such leaders were already working  with the government while sitting in the Opposition.