JO to support NCM against Rishad

By Kelum Bandara

The Joint Opposition or the Mahinda Rajapaksa faction of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) decided to support the No-Confidence Motion against Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who is in the centre of controversy these days over allegations that he gave political patronage to the terrorists who carried out the Easter Sunday bomb attacks on April 21.   

Mr. Rajapaksa, who is also the Opposition Leader, met with his MPs and the JO leaders yesterday and discussed this matter.   

 Already, some MPs have initiated the collection of signatures for the motion. By Tuesday, 25 MPs had placed their signatures, it is learnt.