SLFP Senior Vice Chairman Nimal Siripala de Silva said the UNP's disregard for the assassination attempt on President Maithripala Sirisena triggered the latter's move to appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister. 

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, a short while ago, de Silva said the President was no longer in a position to continue with the UNP. "He informed us, the Central Committee members, that the UNP did not the assassination attempt seriously. We realized the gravity of the issue. That is why we gave him the green light to appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister." 

The former Minister said there were serious concerns about the conduct of the Police too. 

"A senior Police officer has been arrested over the assassination attempt. At the same time, there were questions about the conduct of the Police and the Police Chief. TThese issues were repeatedly raised during Cabinet meetings," he added. 

De Silva also said there were strong differences between the principles of the UNP and the SLFP. 

"But we decided to form a government with them for the well-being of the country. But, we came to a situation where we could not proceed further with the coalition," he added.