A group of SLFP local government members yesterday protested outside the Ape Gama complex claiming they would not support the party’s campaign at the next general election if Rajapaksa is not named as the prime ministerial candidate.

Both former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge and Mahinda Rajapaksa were not present at yesterday’s executive committee meeting.

There was loud cheer and applause when the SLFP general secretary read out the note sent by Rajapaksa to the committee. However, there was no such response when Kumaratunge’s note was read at the meeting.

Persons who were not given an opportunity to express views at the meeting protested within and outside the meeting. The Moratuwa Mayor even stood on a table in protest claiming he needed to address the meeting.

Also, Hirunika Premachandra, Prasanna Solangarachchi and M.K.A.D.S. Gunawardena had to face a group of protestors when they were making their way out of the premises after the meeting.