Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday referred to the SLFP leaders who follow the UNP to the 'Gamarala" or the villager who wanted to visit heaven by clinging on to the elephant's tail.

Speaking at a meeting of former UPFA local councilors in Negombo on Sunday, the former President asked as to what will happen if the Gamarala loses his grip.

In the popular folk tale, the 'Gamarala' grabs onto the elephant's tail, followed by a few of his villagers, when the elephant flies towards heaven. The Gamarala accidentally releases his grip, causing his fall back to the earth, along with the others who cling on.

The elephant, is ironically, the party symbol of the UNP.

In a packed meeting hall, the local councilors passed five resolutions, including one that said the present SLFP leadership should accept the blame for the party's split if it were to happen.

Rajapaksa claimed that 95 percent of the SLFP is with him and challenged the President to sack them all if he dares.