It is reported that senior MP Kabir Hashim will join him as well.

They are to take up backbenches to provide front benches for minority party leaders Mano Ganeshan and P. Digambaram, whose parties backed the SJB at the recently concluded Gen. election.

Seats in the House are usually allotted as per seniority and is said that seniors rarely sit in the backbenches.

However, Mr. Maddumabandara has told the media that  although Mr. Hashim and himself are more senior, they have taken this decision as Mano Ganeshan and P. Digambaram are party leaders.