Colombo, April 5 : More than 40 MPs have deserted Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s coalition government deepening the political crisis in a country which is reeling under the worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948. The MPs from parties aligned with Rajapaksa’s Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)-led coalition said they would now independently represent themselves, BBC reported on Tuesday. The development comes as the country grapples with power cuts and shortages due to an economic and foreign exchange crisis. This has triggered mass protests demanding Rajapaksa’s resignation. The MPs who have distanced themselves from the government have not extended support to the opposition. Rajapaksa’s cabinet has already resigned. The President has called on opposition parties to help him form a national government and accept cabinet portfolios. But the opposition has rejected the offer and instead told the President to resign. On Tuesday, a freshly-appointed Finance Minister, Ali Sabry, announced he was quitting the job, less than 24 hours after he had accepted the post. MR