All 19 MPs from the opposition United National Party, as well as six others from the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, have been given portfolios in the new Government as a reward for crossing the floor to join the ranks of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party headed by President Mahinda Rajapakse.
The new line-up means Sri Lanka, with a population of just over 20 million, has a significantly larger cabinet than any other country in South Asia.
The intent behind the political deals is clear: Mr Rajapakse, who is on a determined drive to smash the Tamil Tigers, was anxious to convert his minority Government into a majority - something he could achieve only by buying off the opposition MPs with the promise of portfolios.
















He now commands a simple majority in the parliament - 113 seats out of a total of 225, meaning he no longer has to rely on the support of the hardline nationalist party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.

But to achieve this, he has effectively torn up the memorandum of understanding the ruling party concluded with the opposition UNP in October.
The expectation now is that Mr Rajapakse will use his political strength to pursue the military offensive that has seen government forces achieve major advances against the Tigers.

Courtesy : http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21139372-2703,00.html

Jumbo Parliament Members;