‘SEVERAL UPFA TOP GUNS WILL CROSS OVER TO UNP’

A minister from the South, several UPFA MPs and two provincial council members are to join the UNP, its Assistant Leader and National List MP Joseph Michael Perera said yesterday.

Mr. Perera told journalists yesterday that a prominent UPFA member in Kuliyapitiya has already crossed over to the UNP, and has signed the election nomination papers.

He said there are many MPs who want to join his party but he would not name any one yet as time is not proper for it. “Many UPFA politicians who wanted their sons to contest the provincial council elections, and failed to obtain nominations from the UPFA have also expressed their desire to join UNP,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the UNP found it difficult to finalise its nomination papers as there were many to accommodate. He said some including these from the UPFA who wanted to contest on UNP ticket have fallen out with the party as they could not be accommodated. “The UNP will finalise its nomination lists today”, he said.

Mr. Perera who referred to the defection of MP

Many UPFA politicians who wanted their sons to contest the provincial council elections, and failed to obtain nominations from the UPFA have also expressed their desire to join UNP There is a minister and several UPFA MPs who want to join the UNP, but I will not divulge the names as the time is not right for it

Dayasiri Jayasekera said one should retire from politics if he was fed up with the party and its leader. “I would retire if I got fed up with the party and the leader,” he said.

Meanwhile, Former Deputy Mayor and Muslim Tamil Alliance Leader Asath sally announced its candidature for the provincial council election. Mr. Sally said he would contest for the Central Province from the UNP.

In addition, Democratic People’s Front Deputy Leader, Dr. A. N. Kumarguruparan announced his party’s decision to contest the Central Provincial Council polls on UNP ticket.