They have arrived at this decision after considering the prevailing political situation and public mandate, the MP has said, while talking to the 'V FM' radio station via phone.

Recent media reports had also hinted that 10 SLFPers are to resign from their ministerial portfolios as a mark of protest against local government institutions falling under the administration of a commission.

However, MP Ekanayake said that the ministers arrived at this decision after studying the entire political process.

Upon inquiring of this from Deputy minister of Health - Lalith Dissanayake, he said that they are ready to resign if the party CC arrives at such a decision.

Not happy

Meanwhile, minister of Rural Economic Affairs - S.B. Dissanayake said that accepting a ministerial post of the present government was not an act that was done happily.

He said this while speaking to media after paying a visit to the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya chapter - most Ven. Galagama Sri Aththadassi Mahanayake Thera, yesterday (16).

He said that although he would have preferred to function from the opposition, he had accepted the ministerial portfolio following a request by President Maithripala Sirisena.