Discussions were underway to appoint former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the second leader of the SLFP, Minister WDJ Seneviratne confirmed on Friday.

He said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother Gotabaya did a great service to the country by ending the war.

The former government did not work towards reconciliation, he added, saying that it was then thought that infrastructure projects would suffice in bringing reconciliation among communities.

However, Gotabaya Rajapaksa will be recognized for the service he did and appointing him would enable the party to remain together, he also said.