Leader of the House Minister Lakshman Kiriella today claimed that ten UPFA MPs of the 'joint opposition' were prepared to support the budget.

He made this claim during his speech at the budget debate earlier in the day.

Speculation has been rising on possible defections to the government from the opposition during the recent days. At a recent meeting, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne claimed that four opposition MPs were planning to join the government.