The reason for this is the announcement last Friday by UPFA general secretary Susil Premajayantha that Rajapaksa would be given nominations to contest the general election.

The president is facing challenge from both Premajayantha and SLFP general secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, who insist that Rajapaksa should contest from the UPFA.

At the same time, he is under fire from his own supporters for deciding to give nominations to the ex-president.

They want him to submit a separate nomination list from the SLFP or support another political alliance, as Rajapaksa loyalists are in control of the UPFA.

Telephoning the president, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera has severely censured him, reports say.

Unofficial sources say Rajitha Senaratne, Arjuna Ranatunga, Nandimitra Ekanayake and M.K.D.S. Gunawardena are going to join the UNP to protest the president’s decision.

The president yesterday morning promised to ex-president Kumaratunga that he would get the SLFP to leave the UPFA and a nomination list comprising his supporters submitted.

However, he cannot be contacted since this afternoon, a SLFP minister told Sri Lanka Mirror.

The president is yet to make a public statement, although the handing over of nominations began today.