Describing himself as a good SLFPer, Ekanayake says he will continue to make the party victorious, without contributing to the sin of dividing it.

He goes on to say that he does not think Rajapaksa will cause a division of the party, but that he has the freedom to take a decision of his own.

The SLFP has no alternative other than going forward under the leadership of president Maithripala Sirisena, according to him.

Meanwhile, Rajapaksa said yesterday (18) that forcing him to leave the SLFP would not be an easy task.

He was speaking to the media after giving a statement with regard to payments to a state television channel for his propaganda advertisements during the last presidential election to the presidential commission investigating serious frauds.