President Maithripala Sirisena held an urgent Central Committee Meeting last evening before he left for Australia for an official tour. 

The meeting took place at the Paget Road residence of the President. 

A Central Committee member told Asian Mirror that the President was praised at the meeting for performing the Cabinet reshuffle, despite pressure from the UNP. 

"Ravi Karunanayake's removal was a key demand by the SLFP. That's why we are particularly happy about the reshuffle. In addition, more responsibilities were given to ministers representing the SLFP," he added. 

The CC member also said the party's involvement in the Constitutional amendment process was another focus of the party.  

The SLFP's recommendations to the Constitutional amendment process are handled by a committee led by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. 

"Measures towards strengthening party discipline were also discussed at the meeting. Party discipline is key to win the forthcoming elections," he explained. 

When asked whether the Central Committee discussed taking disciplinary action against party members supporting the Rajapaksa group, the member said he was not in a position to comment on that.