A crucial meeting started at the Mirihana residence of former President Rajapaksa, a short while ago, after President Maithripala Sirisena refused to give nomination to the former President to contest from the UPFA. 

 

Party leaders and SLFP MPs supporting Rajapaksa attended the meeting held to decide as to how the former President should contest the forthcoming election. Sources close to the former President said he would lead a separate political front as the UPFA had already refused nomination.

 

Whether the former President will contest for a specific district at the election remains a question. Political observers said Rajapaksa might not contest from a district and would seek to come to Parliament from the national list.

 

The President decided to desist from giving nomination to Rajapaksa after a group of SLFP MPs informed the party leadership that they would distance themselves from the party at the next election, if the party gave nominations to the former President. Among them were former President Chandrika Bandaranaike, a patron of the SLFP, Duminda Dissanayake, M.K.D.S. Gunawardena, Arjuna Ranatunga and Hirunika Premachandra.