Three Deputy Ministers belonging to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party resigned from their portfolios, in protest to the July 14 speech by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Research Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Deputy Minister of Rural Economic Affairs Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Deputy Minister of Ports and Shipping Eric Weerawardena have decided to step down from their deputy ministerial portfolios.

The special statement made by President Sirisena on July 14 was criticized by many SLFP members who had backed him, complaining that the speech was disadvantageous to the party.