President Maithripala Sirisena has lost his position as the Chairman of the SLFP.

Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa, former General Secretary of the party, has been appointed the new Acting Chairman of the SLFP. UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said the decision would remain valid until the end of the Presidential election.

The decision was made at the Central Committee meeting last night, which took place under the patronage of Sirisena.

Under Piyadasa's Chairmanship, the SLFP will support SLPP Presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's election campaign.

Sirisena was fundamentally opposed to supporting Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's presidential candidacy.