Rajapaksa minister resigns, rejoins Wickremsinghe

In continuing political tug of war in Sri Lanka, a minister in the new government of Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned and rejoined the side of ousted Prime minister Ranil Wickremsinghe.

Manusha Nanayakkara was sworn in as a deputy Minister last week after he crossed over from Mr. Wickremsinghe party.

In a letter addressed to President, Nanayakkara said he accept Wickremsinghe as the legitimate prime minister who has majority in the house. Mr. Wickremsinghe’s United National party (UNP) while announcing the decision, asserted that there are more people in Rajapaksa side who will vote for them when the majority is tested in parliament.

President Maithripala Sirisena has said that the 113 MP votes needed to show majority for newly appointed government has been achieved.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz today met Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and discussed the importance of reconvening Parliament to put an end to the political crisis.

In a message, she said that these democratic institutions should serve the people of Sri Lanka and let the elected representatives have their say.

The speaker has written strongly to President saying that he will not recognize the new government of Mahinda Rajapaksa.