Liyanage sits in Opposition

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana 

Priyantha Liyanage who was sworn in as new MP for the Ratnapura District by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday is reported to have sat in the Opposition benches.  

Mr. Liyanage who filled the vacancy created by the death of UPFA MP Ranjith Soysa went near Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and greeted him just after he was sworn in. He initially sat on ruling party benches but later crossed over to the Opposition.  

In his inaugural speech, the MP said he had no issues with the Rajapaksas and said both Prime Minister Rajapaksa and Minister Chamal Rajapaksa were close associates of his father. “I decided to sit with the opposition following unconstitutional acts of former president Maithripala Sirisena. “I will remain with the UNP and will support Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa,” he said.  

Meanwhile, UPFA MP Kumara Welgama also sat in the Opposition benches. He was seen coming into the chamber from the opposition entrance and took a seat among the Opposition members.