In a significant move, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed duties as the UPFA Elections Committee Head at the meeting of the committee at SLFP headquarters.

Interestingly, the letter informing him of the appointment is dated July 2, a week before nominations were handed over. The letter is signed by UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha.

Mahajana Eksath Peramuna leader Dinesh Gunawardena announced this at the SLFP headquarters a short while ago.

Meanwhile, he also said that the people will decide on who the real leader is, Gunawardena said.

UPFA Chairman Maithripala Sirisena yesterday announced that he will be neutral at the upcoming general election.