SLFP Chairman and former President Maithripala Sirisena has strongly indicated that his party is strongly considering the possibility of leaving the SLPP-led government due to the strong differences of opinion between the two main stakeholders of the ruling alliance.

Sirisena, however, has said that the SLFP intends to remain in the government until the end of the upcoming Provincial Council election. The timeline of the election is not yet clear.

In an interview with 'The Hindu' newspaper, Sirisena has said his party has been treated unfairly by the SLPP since the last Parliametary election.

"We were treated unfairly when the candidates were picked ahead of the general elections in August 2020. Our party didn’t get a slot in either Kalutara or Nuwara Eliya districts. In Gampaha, we were given only one. In Kurunegala, we were given only two slots. In the districts we are strong, we weren’t given a fair number of slots. We had asked for 30 candidates. Had we been given 30 slots in the last general election, we would have got at least 25 in Parliament. They [ruling party] organised political attacks on our candidates who had been nominated. So, while we still look forward to contesting provincial council elections as a coalition, we insist on the fair share of seats due to us. If we get that, we will have no problem going to polls together with the government. If there is no fair treatment, our party will decide on a solo journey. We are ready for both options," he said.

"We are bound to a platform of democracy and we want to strengthen it. Whenever we come into a coalition, we insist that democracy and human rights be respected. The Buddhist doctrine offers ample guidance on how to run a State," he further added.

Echoing the same views, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera recently said the SLFP members of the government cannot even get an appointment with President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to discuss their problems.