The SLFP CC informed its members after a meeting on April 05 not to attend public rallies in support of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Yesterday, five members were removed from the CC for disregarding that order, on letters signed by SLFP chairman, president Maithripala Sirisena.

They are Bandula Gunawardena, Salinda Dissanayake, S.M. Chandrasena, T.B. Ekanayake and Rohitha Abeygunawardena.

All these are supporting moves to name Rajapaksa as the prime ministerial candidate.