A group of local government councilors today declared that they were prepared to face the Local Government Elections under any system under the leadership of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, they said that the SLFP has lost the people's faith.

Rajapaksa's support is essential for the upcoming election, they said, adding that the people demand his leadership. These councilors said that they are even prepared to form a new front to contest the election under Rajapaksa's backing.

Furthermore, they demanded the government to hold the Local Government Elections without delay.

Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan yesterday said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's support will be essential for the approval of a new constitution.

Taking part in the Parliamentary debate on the resolution to establish a Constitutional Assembly, Sampanthan said that Rajapaksa was a national leader.

Drafting a new constitution is a national task. Therefore, the support of national leaders was essential in this, he added.

Sampanthan acknowledged that Rajapaksa also attempted to introduce a constitutional solution to the national question. Therefore, he expressed confidence that Rajapaksa will contribute to the effort.

Rajapaksa will also be able to create a new future in politics by contributing to this effort, Sampanthan said.

While insisting that he will never betray the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday hinted at the possibility of the formation of a new party by his supporters.

Speaking to the media at the opening of a new SLFP office in Urubokka, Matara District, Rajapaksa said that new parties could be formed according to the political circumstances.

"If people are thrown out of their parties, they will have no alternative but to form a different party", he said.

His comments come amidst widespread speculation of the future of the 'Joint Opposition' set up by his supporters. Minister S.B. Dissanayake recently claimed that up to 15 MPs of the Joint Opposition are planning to join the government. Meanwhile, the SLFP is considering the possibility of taking tough action against its members in the Rajapaksa camp.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa failed to appear at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) today.

He was expected to appear at the commission for the hearing over nonpayment of outstanding bills to the ITN for his advertisements during the 2015 Presidential Election period.

The security detail of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa should be increased rather than decreasing it, his spokesman Rohan Welivita said in a statement today.

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Commenting on certain reports that Rajapaksa's security detail has been reduced from 500, Welivita said that the security detail was not 500 in the first place for it to be reduced from that number. Only 102 military personnel were assigned for his security, said Welivita.

He added that increasing the security detail was vital since Rajapaksa's life was still in danger. The recent release of some ex-LTTE inmates has increased the threat, he added.

SLFP MPs have been advised not to attend events where he also participates, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa claimed.

He said this while taking part in a ceremony of laying a foundation stone at Sri Siddhartha Jayanthi Vihara in Balangoda recently.

“SLFP MPs have received a letter advising not to attend any event in temples, and birthday parties where I participate. The Secretary-general of SLFP has sent these letters”, Rajapaksa stated.

However, UPFA MP Ranjith Soyza, a strong Rajapaksa supporter, was also attending the event.

Despite the government's claims, the Executive Presidency will not undergo any fundamental change, Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

He said this in reply to a question asked by a journalist during his visit to Kandy for religious observances on Thursday.

“By the looks of it, he Executive Presidency will not change. Small sections might see changes”, Rajapaksa said.

Earlier this week, Cabinet approval was granted to a proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena to end the Executive Presidency and change the electoral system.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera later told the media that the abolition of the executive presidency will become effective after the end of President Sirisena's term.

Commercial High Court Judge Shiran Gunaratne issued notice on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and six others to appear in court on March 10, 2016, on the case regarding the default of payment of Rs 142 million to the Sri Lanka Transport Board.

Former UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha, former SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and former Chief of Staff to the President Gamini Senarath were among the others who were noticed.

The UPFA allegedly defaulted on payment of Rs 142 million due to the SLTB for the hiring of buses to transport supporters to political campaigns of Rajapaksa during the 2015 Presidential Election campaign.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party will not be able to win an election if it decides to contest alone.

Taking part in a public meeting in Rideegama, Ambalanthota, Rajapaksa also pointed out that he was in a dilemma due to conflicting requests made from him.

Some supporters want him to leave the SLFP while the others want him to remain, he explained.

Recent reports said that the 'united opposition', which supports Rajapaksa, was planning to contest the upcoming local government polls separately.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that he is attending the sessions of the PRECIFAC merely to satisfy his opponents, adding that it was a waste of time in his part.

Speaking to media after the day’s session at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges, Rajapaksa said that he has already explained the irrelevance of him being summoned to the inquiry into the non-payment of money to ITN. He argued that he was not responsible for the finances of the UPFA propaganda during the presidential election.

The inquiry is being held on the non-payment of Rs. 115 million due to the ITN for Rajapaksa’s advertisements.

The PRECIFAC officials obtained a statement from Rajapaksa on September 23 at his residence. Rajapaksa was later summoned to the PRECIFAC on October 15.

Rajapaksa spent seven hours at the commission today. “They are just wasting my time and my lawyers’ time. I have already told them that I had nothing to do with this” Rajapaksa told media.