UNP Deputy Minister Ananda Aluthgamage has pledged support to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who took oaths as the Prime Minister this evening. 

Speaking to media a short while ago, Aluthgamage said more would join him in the near future. 

Ananda Aluthgamage is the cousin of former Minister and Joint Opposition Parliamentarian Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

However, dismissing claims of more crossovers, State Minister Harsha de Silva said, "No truth to defections as rumoured as far as we can see as at now."

Speculation was rife that former Minister Ravi Karunanayake would join the new Sirisena-Rajapaksa alliance. 

When contacted by Asian Mirror, however, several UNP MPs said there was no truth in such reports.