The SLFP ministers and deputy ministers who voted against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday during the vote on the no-confidence motion said they were asked to remain in the government by President Maithripala Sirisena. 

"We offered our resignations this morning. But the President refused to accept them. He asked us to continue," Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera told media. 

The UNP has however decided t bring a No Confidence Motion against all SLFP members representing the government who voted against the Prime Minister. 

UNP MP Mujiber Rahuman, speaking to media said, those who voted for the no-confidence motion while remaining in the government will be forced to quit their positions. 

During the vote on the no-confidence  motion against the Prime Minister, 15 SLFP MPs holding positions in the government voted in support of it. Six of them are Cabinet ministers. 

He assured that the no-confidence motion against these MPs will easily draw the support of a majority in the House.