Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa urged SLFP MPs representing the government to join hands with the Joint Opposition to "absolve" their sins.

He said the government was now in a mire and the country is in utter disarray.

"The SLFP MPs in the government should not be a party to this crime. That's why I urge them to join hands with the Joint Opposition," the former President said, addressing a public event in Dambulla, yesterday.

"Previously they called me a thief. Now, they call each other thieves," Rajapaksa said, commenting on the controversy surrounding the resignation of Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake.

"They claim the country's assets are of no value but they have no qualms about selling them to foreigners. How cam they sell these assets, if they are not of any value," Rajapaksa questioned.

"We will one day probe into these deals and the commissions" the former President added.

"The public is being burdened not because of foreign debts, but because of the losses incurred due to the Bond fiasco," he said.