The Sri Lanka Freedom Party officially confirmed that it had decided to support SLPP candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the upcoming Presidential election.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, SLFP Senior Vice Chairman Nimal Siripala de Silva said the SLFP arrived at a decision to support Gotabhaya Rajapaksa with the blessings of President Maithripala Sirisena.

He said, however, that the President decided to remain non-partisan due to his commitments in office.

The two parties are expected to form an alliance at the next Parliamentary election and contest under a common symbol.

Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa has been appointed the Acting Chairman of the SLFP until the end of the Presidential election.

The SLFP also confirmed that its General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake and Media Spokesman Weerakumara Dissanayake would attend the SLPP inaugural rally in Anuradhapura this afternoon.