President Mahinda Rajapaksa has announced that UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake has joined the government.He made this revelation while speaking to media after handing over his nomination papers at the Elections Secretariat.

pic via: twitter.com/PresRajapaksa

It is reliably learnt that the government has assured a national list seat for Attanayake at the next parliamentary election. It is also tipped that he will be appointed as Health minister immediately in a tit for tat move as the portfolio was held by the SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena who defected to become the common opposition candidate in the Presidential elections.

The defection is seen as a counter strike by the Rajapaksa regime.

The Govt has effectively struck back by enticing the General secretary of the UNP in the same manner in which the opposition succeeded in making the SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena cross over from the Govt.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake is to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this afternoon.He has been informed to be present at the Temple Trees at 12 noon, sources close to Attanayake said.

Attanayake is likely to be accompanied by Anuradhapura District UNP Parliamentarian Chandrani Bandara. Along with him, UNP Parliamentarian Chandrani Bandara too is joining the ruling party, political sources also added.

Opposition United National Party (UNP) Tissa Attanayake has resigned from his post as General Secretary, the UNP said this morning.Lakshman Kiriella, Leadership Council member of the UNP confirmed that Attanayake has handed over his letter of resignation to step down from the General Secretary post of the party.

Attanayake, according to political sources, will make a public announcement about his decision following his meeting with the President.

Attanayake visited Sirikotha this morning and met his personal staff for the last time. Attanayake informed his personal staff of his resignation this morning and extended his gratitude to the staff members.

Attanayake’s mobile phone was switched off this morning and he was not taking calls at least from his close associates. However, he is expected to make a special announcement about the move in the evening.
A few days ago, the UNP General Secretary assured that he would not join the government and his conscience cannot be bought for money.

“The government cannot buy me over. My conscience could not be bought for money. No one in the UNP cannot be bought for money!” an emotional General Secretary said addressing a meeting at Sirikotha, last week, referring to certain media reports claiming the UNP General Secretary was negotiating with the government for a crossover.

Speaking on his efforts to unite the main opposition party, Attanayake said he realized that the party was not in a position to embark on a victorious journey as long as it remains divided. He was referring to the role he played in creating an “understanding” between UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Hambanthota District MP Sajith Premadasa, who was later appointed as the Deputy Leader of the party.

(Compiled with input provided by News reports in the “Asian Mirror”and”Colombo Gazette”websites)