President Maithripala Sirisena today informed SLFP organizers to prepare for the Provincial Council elections, before thinking about a Presidential election. 

The President's Media Division said the President gave this instruction to SLFP organizers during a meeting earlier today. 

The President's statement came as a response to SLPP former PC members and Local Government representatives who said they unanimously decided not to support President Maithripala Sirisena at the next Presidential election. 

Meanwhile, former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, addressing a meeting of Viyathmaga yesterday, said he was ready for the Presidential election if the people were ready. 

The address to Viyath Maga was the first public speech by Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in 2019. 

Rajapaksa said 2019 would be an important year for all Sri Lankans as there would be a Presidential election within the year.