Minister of Petroleum Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said flatly denied rumours that some ruling party members were holding discussions with the opposition saying none of the UPFA Parliamentarians wanted to end up on the losing side. 

Speaking to Asian Mirror, Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said he was certain that the UNP had no chance of winning the upcoming elections and that the government would secure a resounding victory. 

“I do not know whether there were any discussions between UPFA Parliamentarians and the UNP, but what I know is that none of the ruling party members wanted to lose the forthcoming elections," he added.

Asian Mirror yesterday reported that five ruling party parliamentarians including three ministers are presently holding secret discussions with the main opposition party for a possible cross over ahead of the next national level election.

The sources also added that the group of Ministers include Senior Minister Piyasena Gamage, Education Services Minister Duminda Dissanayake, Parliamentarian Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe, Mirigama SLFP Organizer Vasantha Senanayake and Minister of State Management Reforms Navin Dissanayake.

The Minister also ruled out possibilities of fielding a common candidate at the forthcoming presidential election. "Neither Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe nor any other common candidate can win the next presidential election. President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be elected to power foe his third term without any significant challenge from the opposition," the Minister told Asian Mirror. 

The presidential election is likely to take place in January next year.