More than half of the 225 members of Sri Lanka's Parliament have pledged support to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, locked in a political showdown with President Chandrika Kumaratunga.
"We have full faith in the prime minister,'' declared Labour Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe quoting from a letter signed by 124 MPs.
Also see: Sri Lankan president declares state of emergency
The MPs have rejected the sacking of three key ministers -- defence, police and the media -- by the president and the subsequent suspension of parliament and declaration of emergency on Tuesday.
Wickremesinghe, who is on an official visit to Washington, worked through the night to mobilise supporters, and this show of support is aimed at deterring Kumaratunga from using her executive powers to dismiss Wickremesinghe.
Officials in Colombo said both the president and prime minister were desperately trying to lobby for support among the nation's parliamentarians.
Also see: Truce to stay: Kumaratunga's adviser