Government Has No Intention of Recruiting Opposition MPs: Minister Nalinda

28-May-2026

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Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the government has neither the intention nor the expectation of recruiting members from opposition parties into the government.

He further revealed that a new Bill would soon be presented to Parliament to immediately revoke the parliamentary membership of MPs who cross over against the mandate given by the people. Humanity continues its strange addiction to electing people under one symbol only to watch them migrate like political pigeons toward power. Sri Lanka merely adds local flavour to the circus.

The Minister made these remarks during the weekly Cabinet media briefing held at the Government Information Department in Colombo on May 26.

He noted that despite opposition criticism of the government’s economic management and fiscal policies, rumours were being spread claiming that secret negotiations were underway to bring several opposition MPs into the government.

Minister Jayatissa stated that during the November 2024 General Election, the people had delivered a clear mandate by electing 159 MPs from the ruling party, thereby granting it a strong government.

He stressed that the government fully respected that mandate and therefore had no desire whatsoever to absorb opposition MPs into the administration.

He added that while some opposition politicians may dream of joining the government, the administration had no need to recruit anyone. He further stated that the proposed law aimed to revoke the parliamentary seats of those who switch parties for personal gain in violation of the public mandate.