Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga left the country for the United Kingdom last night on a trip described to be a brief one.

 

A statement by her office said that she went on a pre-arranged visit to attend to an important family event.

 

The statement further said that she will clarify her position on the current political situation upon her return.

 

Kumaratunga, a vehement critic of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was strongly opposed to him being given nominations to contest the heneral election.

 

However, the UPFA went against her wishes and decided to grant nominations for Rajapaksa.

 

She was also reportedly opposed to giving nominations to Prasanna Ranatunga, the Chief Minister of the Western Province. However, her opposition in that matter was also discarded when Rajapaksa threatened to field a separate team in the election.

 

The former President is known for her tactic of leaving the country amidst party disputes. She once did this in February this year, when certain requests made by her were reportedly turned down by the Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.