Sri Lanka Freedom Party General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa stated that the Speaker will give his decision on the controversy regarding the opposition leader on April 7.

The controversy started when some SLFP MPs were appointed as ministers and deputy ministers on March 22, creating a UNP-SLFP national government. However, Nimal Siripala de Silva, who was the opposition leader, remained in his position.

Opposition to this move came from other political parties in parliament, mainly the JVP and several smaller parties within UPFA. At a recent media briefing, Left Democratic Front leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara stated that they will forward the name of Mahajana Eksath Peramuna leader Dinesh Gunawardena as opposition leader.

In another media briefing this week, National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa said that 58 opposition members have already pledged their support to Dinesh Gunawardena.

However, UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha recently said that he does not see a problem in SLFP holding the opposition leader position. He added that no one raised the question as to how a Prime Minister was named from a minority party in parliament.