Defections lead opposition to ask for a confidence vote in the government.
The government of President HE Chandrika Kumaratunga faces a potential vote of confidence in Parliament after the defection of several Members from her People's Alliance coalition to the opposition benches. This comes after the President sacked the Minister of Trade, Hon. It remains unclear whether the other four SLMC Members will also defect, leading to talk of a possible split in the party. The UNP has 116 Members in Parliament. The Parliament will first decide on a date to debate the motion, which will allow the government some time to seek support in the House.