Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva stated on Monday (23) that several other SLFP MPs will be given Deputy Ministerial portfolios of the newly formed national government in the near future.

Speaking at a press briefing today, he stated that the SLFP decided to join the government so that it could have a voice inside the Cabinet. He added that there will be important changes taking place in constitutional amendments and electoral reforms.

Meanwhile, de Silva also spoke on the moves by certain MPs to name UPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardena as Opposition Leader. De Silva said that according to the Constitution and the parliamentary tradition, it was a decision at the discretion of the Speaker. If the Speaker accepts him as Opposition Leader, there is no question of appointing another, he said.

UPFA MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara urged for the proposal of Dinesh Gunawardena as Opposition Leader at a separate media briefing earlier on Monday.