By M. Manochitra
COLOMBO – The government has no intention or expectation of recruiting members from the parliamentary opposition into its ranks, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said on Tuesday (26), while also announcing plans to introduce new legislation to immediately revoke the parliamentary seats of lawmakers who defect against the mandate given by voters.
Speaking during the weekly Cabinet media briefing held at the Department of Government Information in Colombo, Minister Jayatissa dismissed reports alleging that the government was engaged in secret discussions with opposition figures to bring them into the administration.
He said various criticisms and comments continue to be raised by opposition parties regarding the government’s economic management and fiscal policies, while rumours were also being spread claiming that attempts were underway to secure support from key opposition members for political survival.
However, Jayatissa stressed that the outcome of the November 2024 General Election had delivered a clear and historic mandate to the current administration.
“The people of this country decisively elected a new Parliament and granted the ruling party a strong majority of 159 seats with overwhelming public support. We fully respect that historic and clear public mandate,” he said.
He added that the government neither expects nor desires to bring any opposition MPs into its fold.
“There may be dreams on their side about somehow joining the government, but our administration, backed by strong public support, has no need or expectation to recruit anyone from the opposition,” he said.
Jayatissa further stated that the government intends to soon present a new bill in Parliament aimed at cancelling the parliamentary membership of legislators who switch parties for personal gain in violation of the mandate given to them by voters.
“We expect to present and enact legislation very soon to revoke the parliamentary seats of those who defect contrary to the people’s mandate,” he said.
-ENCL
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