13th Parliament of Sri Lanka

[5] The UPFA was able to form a minority government with the support of the sole Eelam People's Democratic Party MP.

[6][7] On 6 April 2004, President Chandrika Kumaratunga appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa, the leader of the UPFA, as the new prime minister.

[9][10] President Kumaratunga retained control over the important ministries of Defence, Public Security, Law & Order, Highways, Education and Buddha Sasana.

Shortly afterwards, a number of defections and counter-defections from the opposition increased the size of the government to 129 MPs, most of whom were rewarded with ministerial posts.

Following the expiration of the second term of President Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa won the 2005 presidential elections.