At the cabinet media briefing yesterday (18), Senaratne said the president had informed about his decision on the previous night to a six-member committee appointed to unite him with Rajapaksa.

Rajapaksa loyalists have described the appointment of this committee as the first step towards making Rajapaksa the prime minister.

However, Senaratne said the president’s decision not to give Rajapaksa nominations would not change.

SLFP national organizer Premajayantha said there was no truth to that claim.

Vice president of the party Seneviratne has told BBC Sandeshaya that the committee has not yet had a meeting with the president.