State Minister of Finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena was appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena as the SLFP Matara District leader.

He replaces UPFA MP Dullas Alahapperuma who resigned on August 19.

Alahapperuma resigned as a protest against the removal of two SLFP organizers in his district. He is a key member in the Joint Opposition which backs former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.