Making another strong move against the members of the '16 group', President Maithipala Sirisena has removed former Ministers John Seneviratne, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Chandima Weerakkody from Co-chairmanship of District Development Committees.

Athula Kumara Rahubadde has replaced Seneviratne as the Co-Chairman of Ratnapura District Development Committee while Piyasena Gamage has been appointed the Co-Chair of Galle District Committee. 

Former Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera, another member of the 16 Group, has been appointed the Co-chair of the Kurunegala District Development Committee, in place of Yapa. 

Their District Development Committee positions were removed just hours after they were axed from their SLFP Electorate Organizer positions. 

Action had been taken against them due to their constant engagement with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the Rajapaksa group's breakaway party.