Govt. may try to woo SJB MPs to crossover: Eran

By Yohan Perera   

It is possible that the government may be wooing some MPs from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) in the future, though there won’t be any immediate crossover, SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne said yesterday.   

Mr. Wickramaratne who made this remark in response to a question raised by the journalists at a press conference, said the move by the government to remove the restrictions imposed on the number of Cabinet, State and Deputy Ministers through the 20 Amendment may be to woo opposition MPs to the ruling party.   

“No one will crossover to the government from SJB now but there could be a move by the government to woo our MPs to its fold through the 20th Amendment,” Mr. Wickramaratne said.   

“The number of Ministers in the Cabinet, the State and Deputy Ministers were limited by the 19th Amendment as it was the public view that there were too many ministers in the government. However, this government had planned to remove this restriction through the 20th Amendment. The reason for this may be to woo some MPs from the opposition to its fold. The government could appoint any amount of Ministers if the 20th Amendment is enacted,” he added.   

The SJB MP who was critical of the plan to introduce the provision of bringing in Emergency Bills said this move will suppress the right the people enjoyed to refer any Bill presented to Parliament or to the courts before it is enacted.