Several Cabinet Ministers representing the SLFP have expressed willingness to join the UNP, sources within the UNP confirmed, a short while ago. 

This comes in the wake of a landslide defeat suffered by the SLFP at the Local Government polls. It is learnt that these Ministers are not willing to join the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramun, mainly due to personal reasons.

"They have opened up channels of communication. Some of them were previously in the UNP. So, they can come back to the UNP at any time," a senior party spokesman said. 

Meanwhile, another group of SLFP ministers have informed President Maithripala Sirisena that they contemplate resignation from their ministerial portfolios. 

This group is likely to sit in the opposition in Parliament and work with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. Party sources added that the President might soon make a statement allowing the 'disgruntled' SLFP ministers to sit in the opposition. 

"This means the SLFP is heading towards a natural death," a political observer who wished to remain anonymous said, commenting on the current state of affairs in the SLFP. 

Although the SLFP-led coalition contested for all districts at the Local Government election, they only managed to secure 1.4 million votes, just over 13% of the country's total voter-base. 

In terms of number of Local government elections held by the party, the SLFP only managed to secure the fourth place at the Local Government and even came behind the TNA.

It is the worst result the party has received at an election in its 67 year history.