Eleven non-SLFP MP-elects, including five from Weerawansa’s NFF, are behind this attempt, ‘Sathhanda’ reports.

Their plan to discuss the matter with Dinesh Gunawardena is yet to materialize.

Udaya Gammanpila too, has promised to shoulder this task, but he is yet to take part in any of the related discussions as he is under investigation by the FCID.

SLFPers opposing natl. govt.

Meanwhile, Pavitra Wanniarachchi, Kumar Welgama and several other SLFPers have requested president Maithripala Sirisena’s permission for them to function as opposition MPs, but he has refused to allow that.

In order to prevent party MPs from functioning from opposition benches, the SLFP has decided to suspend membership of anyone doing so.

However, S.M. Chandrasena and Ranjith de Soyza say they will never join a national government, but are yet to say whether they support the move to make Weerawansa the opposition leader.

Rather than allowing the TNA to gain this position, the Weerawansa faction want to take hold of it, obtain support of SLFP MPs at a decisive moment and work against the government as a strong opposition.

This has received the sanction of Mahinda Rajapaksa.

2 reports on natl. govt.

Meanwhile, a group led by W.D.J. Seneviratne and tasked with studying the formation of a national government has handed over its report to the president.

During its deliberations, the group found that there are differing opinions within the SLFP regarding same.

Seneviratne said the president would decide the next course of action.

Another group, led by Chandrika Kumaratunga to study the same matter, too, has handed over its report to the president.