Sri Lankan government likely to lose majority in Parliament: Coalition partner

Colombo: As the struggle to shore up its economy is going on, Sri Lankan government is facing the threat of losing majority in parliament, according to a ruling coalition lawmaker.

Udaya Gammanpila, the former Energy Minister and leader of a coalition partner, tweeted that the government would lose majority marking its beginning of the end, reported IANS.

This is likely to happen, according to reports, in the event of the government failing to secure support of Opposition when the parliament is convened on Tuesday.

Gammanpila also criticised the government for introducing four ministers and called the new cabinet "old wine in a new bottle".

The former minister demanded for an all-party interim government to streamlining essential services as well as holding an election. People should decide their next leaders, he said.

Lawmaker and former minister Nimal Lanza told media that over 50 lawmakers decided to work independently from Tuesday, indicating that the government could lose majority. Nimal Lanza asked the government to hand over power to the opposition.

In the event of 50 lawmakers withdrawing support on Tuesday, the government would lose majority of 113 out of 225 total MPs in parliament, according to Lanza.

Rajapsaka government's main coalition partner the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said its 14 lawmakers would leave the government and stand independent at the parliament.

After a meeting of parliamentary group on Monday night, former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that 132 lawmakers assured support to the government.

Amid lack of dollar reserves , severe shortages of fuel, LP gas, electricity and essential food, people are demanding Rajapaksa to step down immediately.