Dissanayake is responding to a remark by MP S.M. Chandrasena that following the removal of minister K.H. Nandasena, the power of the NCP was now with the joint opposition.

He said 17 NCP members attended a discussion at ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Colombo residence, while another telephoned and extended support, said Chandrasena.

Detrimental to SLFP’s interests

However, Dissanayake refuted the claim, and described what Rajapaksa brothers Mahinda and Basil were doing as being detrimental to the interests of the SLFP.

MP S.M. Chandrasena

MP Chandrasena said that at the heart of the dispute was the sudden removal of NCP minister Nandasena with political intentions.

He charged that with his removal, the government violated a promise it had made, when it was given their support to run the NCP, after Peshala Jayaratne was made the chief minister following the January 08 regime change.

Dissanayake said Nandasena was removed after he had informed the party leadership that he would not contest future elections.

According to the provincial councils regulations, no change in power is possible in the NCP, he said.

The term of the NCP ends this August.