Speaking, Wimal Weerawansa said that they had handed over a letter to the President, which called for the Kumara Welgama to be appointed as Opposition leader. The letter was signed by 56 MPs, he added.

However, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that he was not received such a letter.

Adding his voice, Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the Speaker had announced the recognition of Sampanthan as Opposition leader and all are to accept it.

He was interrupted by a noisy Opposition and to this the Prime minister has said, " Don't behave like a bunch of monkeys. This parliament cannot be allowed to be function like the previous one. Sit down!."