Senior to JO leader Dinesh Gunawardena, Premajayantha is more capable of attracting the SLFP membership than him, the MPs have pointed out.

Speaking to journalists today (12) at the SLFP headquarters, MP Dilan Perera said they would hold discussions on securing the opposition leader position. 

The media briefing was also attended by Dayasiri Jayasekara, S.B. Dissanayake, Thilanga Sumathipala, Anuradha Jayaratne and Tharanath Basnayake.

SLFP will withdraw from the govt. soon – S.B. Dissanayake

After explaining their reasons for leaving the government, Dissanayake said the SLFP too, would withdraw soon, after discussing the matter at the party’s central committee.

He said one or two of the SLFP might join the UNP, ruling out any consultation with the general secretaries of the SLFP and the UPFA, whom he described as ‘children’ compared to the seniors.

70 out of 96 out of the UPFA

By now, of the 96 UPFA MPs, 70 are now with the JO.

Sixteen MPs resigned from their government positions yesterday.

However, Dayasiri Jayasekara says they will only sit in the opposition, and will not join the JO.