Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena says it is his duty to steer the SLFP to victory at the election later this year.
"The SLFP which lost the Jan. 08 election should be geared to win elections again and it is my duty to see to it to ensure that the party will be able to do so. I have already commenced this work and worked hard since the day I assumed duties of the office of the President," President Sirisena said at an SLFP meeting in Galle.
The coalition which the SLFP leads, the UPFA, will for the first time in its history hold two May Day rallies, after talks to combine the two factions failed, The Sunday Times reported.
The faction which supports former president Mahinda Rajapaksa will hold a separate rally, but Mr Rajapaksa will not attend it according to former minister Vasudeva Nanayakara.
Mr Sirisena earlier called on SLFP and the UPFA members to hold a united May Day rally in a show of solidarity.