This because a cold war is raging on in the central and executive committees, to gain power, between one faction that supports president Maithripala Sirisena and former president Chandrika Kumaratunga, and another backing ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Members of the all island committee who oppose the office-bearers appointed to the party at a meeting at Apey Gama allege it was part of an attempt to divide the party.

They support Mr. Rajapaksa as their leader, while executive committee members consider Mr. Sirisena as their leader.

Meanwhile, SLFP general secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa says he will not attend the rally scheduled to take place on February 18 titled ‘motherland is in danger.’

Organizer of the event, MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena, says all member parties of the UPFA have been invited to attend.