The former Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa is to form a new party, breaking away from the Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP).
The new party will hold consultations with other political parties in view of forming a 'Common Front', the Sunday Times reported.
The split in the SLFP follows increasing animosity between members loyal to Mr Rajapaksa and those loyal to the current president, Maithripala Sirisena.