Tissa, Katagoda join with MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said a short while ago that UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake had joined the government. “This Mahinda Rajapaksa can get another party’s General Secretary when our General Secretary leaves. Do not underestimate us,” he said. Addressing a gathering soon after handing over nominations for the presidential election at Rajagiriya, he said his party doors were still open and people had begun to enter through them.

Democratic Party (DP) Parliamentarian Jayantha Ketagoda has joined the government to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa, sources said. Mr. Ketagoda became a member of the Parliament replacing DP Leader Sarath Fonseka.

United National Party (UNP) MP Kabir Hashim has been named as the party’s general secretary, UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told a news conference today. MP Hashim is also the leadership council spokesman.