Daily NEWS Srilanka

Though it was publicly announced that former

What has influenced this decision of his is the final judgement given him by Party representatives Nimal, Susil and Anura in Kandy day-before-yesterday. What was said at that point was that though a chance for Mahinda to contest from UPF could be given, those around Mahinda would have to forego that chance. In the same way, there was a condition attached that such things as publicizing for position of Prime Minister is taboo. As the group comprising of Wimal Weeravansha, Udaya Gammanpila, Dinesh Goonawardena, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Bandula Gunawardena, and Kumara Welgama took great pains for the last  period of 5 months to keep Mahinda on a pedestal, Mahinda had mentioned that without their presence it will not be possible to make dedicated efforts all alone and he had later said that further discussions would be held in that respect and it would be informed later.

While the Maithri faction too were upset concerning Mahinda's clan and Maithri's clan contesting from the same list, they had begun to contemplate of a different method of canvassing for the vote by rejecting Mahinda because charges against corruption have been aimed at them. It had been reported by this morning that based on the fact that as former Minister Wimal Weeravansha, Udaya Gammanpila and the crowd would not be given nominations, Mahinda would be contesting from another Party and from a different symbol.

What Minister Sarath Amunugama said at a media briefing held this afternoon by the SLFP was that the UPFA political campaign would be directed this time by none other than Maithripala Sirisena. It is the opinion of political critics that because Mahinda Rajapaksa would be contesting alone, votes of the SLFP would be split around. Therefore, the biggest advantage of this diversity would be reaped by the UNP.