UPFA Anuradhapura MP Shehan Semasinghe refuted claims that up to 10 'joint opposition' MPs were planning to join the government and support the budget.

Speaking to a vernacular newspaper, Semasinghe said that the government will not be able to obtain the support of even some of its MPs for the budget.

The claims of possible defections from the opposition are made merely to confuse the public and to convince them that the government is in a strong position, Semasinghe argued.

Contrary to its claims, the government has already been proven to be incompetent in taking the country forward, he also opined.