President Maithripala Sirisena today confirmed that te Sri Lanka Freedom Party will face the forthcoming Local Government Election under the "hand" symbol, which is the symbol of the party.

The local elections will be held in the early part of the next year, he also said.

Speaking at the 65th anniversary convention of the party in Kurunegala, Sirisena also called on the SFLP MPs who are in the 'Joint Opposition' to stand with the party rather than attempting to form new political fronts.

The SLFP has not faced a major election under the "hand" symbol after the 1989 General Election.