Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today challenged President Maithripala Sirisena to at least establish reconciliation within his party, the SLFP, before attempting to achieve reconciliation in the north and east.

Speaking at a meeting after taking part in religious activities in Anuradhapura, Rajapaksa said that the party members are being suspended or expelled while the government continues to speak of reconciliation in the former war zone.

Rajapaksa also said that the reconciliation should not be attempted according to the wishes of the terrorists.

He also pointed out that the government was taking the discovery of a suicide vest and other explosives from Chavakachcheri very lightly and that it was intimidating those who point out the facts to the people. This is the message they gave by questioning G.L. Peiris, he added.