Multiple sources from the opposition confirmed Asian Mirror last night that one ruling party Parliamentarian will cross over to the opposition today.

The MP will extend his support to Maithripala Sirisena, the common candidate of the opposition, at the presidential election.

Although the opposition spokespersons did not disclose the name of the ruling party MP, it was learnt that the defector is a Muslim Parliamentarian.

The opposition sources also added that negotiations were underway for another series of crossovers in the coming weeks, ahead of the presidential election.

However, several ruling party MPs, who earlier agreed to extend their support to the common candidate of the opposition, are now avoiding telephone calls from opposition MPs.  

Meanwhile, parallel to the negotiations with Parliamentarians of the ruling party, the opposition is also holding discussions with a group of provincial council members of the UPFA.

Councilors from Western, Eastern, Uva and North Central Provincial Councils are resently in talks with the opposition, highly placed political sources told Asian Mirror.

‘The Nation’ newspaper, on Sunday, reported that "a lot of horse-trading" is being done at the provincial council level to seize the power of at least three provincial councils before the next presidential election.

According to the newspaper report some PC members of the ruling party had indicated to the opposition that they were willing to make a move for “cash prices” above Rs. 25 million.