PM Wickramanayake was earlier appointed as acting SLFP leader

President Rajapaksa, a senior vice president of the party, is to temporarily replace former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who has left for a long trip abroad.

At the SLFP Executive Committee Senior Minister DM Jayaratne has seconded a proposal by Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayake to appoint Rajapaksa as the acting leader.

The National Convention of the SLFP has approved the appointment as it was announced by the General Secretary, Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

Tourism minister Anura Bandaranaike, former President Kumaratunga’s brother, was seen leaving the meeting soon after the announcement.

The SLFP was formed in 1950s by their father, former Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike.

Kumaratunga has appointed PM Wickramanayake as the acting SLFP leader prior to her departure last month.

But the SLFP has overruled her appointment as the leader cannot name an acting leader without the approval of the Central Committee.