Sri Lanka's former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he is ready to hand over the Sri Lankan Freedom Party chairmanship to his successor, the new president Maithripala Sirisena, according to reports in local newspapers.
Rajapaksa reportedly made this announcement to leaders of the SLFP dominated coalition, the UPFA, on Wednesday evening.
According to the Daily Mirror, Wimal Weerawansa, a Rajapaksa ally and leader of the NFF, urged Rajapaksa not to resign.
The former president however, is prepared to hand over the party, in order to safeguard it from a destructive split, reports Colombo Gazette. Over the weekend reports emerged that the party had split into two factions, one instating Rajapaksa as chair, whilst the other pledging their allegiance to Sirisena.
A meeting to said to be taking place today between President Sirisena and Rajapaksa.
Meanwhile, the former president's brother, Basil Rajapaksa, has resigned as SLFP national organiser, reports the Daily Mirror.
Rajapaksa reportedly made this announcement to leaders of the SLFP dominated coalition, the UPFA, on Wednesday evening.
According to the Daily Mirror, Wimal Weerawansa, a Rajapaksa ally and leader of the NFF, urged Rajapaksa not to resign.
The former president however, is prepared to hand over the party, in order to safeguard it from a destructive split, reports Colombo Gazette. Over the weekend reports emerged that the party had split into two factions, one instating Rajapaksa as chair, whilst the other pledging their allegiance to Sirisena.
A meeting to said to be taking place today between President Sirisena and Rajapaksa.
Meanwhile, the former president's brother, Basil Rajapaksa, has resigned as SLFP national organiser, reports the Daily Mirror.