He made the announcement during a Press conference at the residence of UNP Member of Parliament Lakshman Kiriella in Kandy today (December 24).

"I was the coordinating secretary of the Prime Minister since 2009. The President pledged to make as the chief minister of the Central Province the candidate who polled the nighest number of preferential votes. But that was only confined to words only and the Prime Minister's son (who polled the most votes) was overlooked and did not get even a minister's post in the Provincial Council", Nugaliyadda told the media at the Press conference.

He asked that if the son of the Speaker of Parliament (Chamal Rajapaksa) can be made a chief minister why is it that the son of the Prime Minister cannot get the same post.

"Today there are factions in the government alliance. Those who left the UNP are feeling it and are sad. They are now like curry leaves (used and thrown away)", said Nugaliyadda.

He said many supporters of the Sri Lanka Freedom Freedom Party had joined him from Gampola and were looking forward to supporting Maithripala Sirisena. He added that yesterday (December 23) he received calls from the President's office and the Prime Minister warning him against leaving the government.