A number of party leaders of the SLPP have complained to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on the "composition" of the party leaders meetings of the ruling alliance.

They have expressed surprise that nearly 50 SLPP MPs are invited for the party leaders meeting on a regular basis undermining the status of "real party leaders" within the ruling camp.

These sentiments have been expressed at a meeting between the Prime Minister and 12 party leaders representing the ruling alliance including Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Vasudewa Nanayakkara, Athuraliya Rathana Thera, Prof. Tissa Vitarana and Gevindu Kumarathunga.

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa is entrusted with the task of facilitating party leaders meetings. In this context, the complaint can be construed as a manifestation of growing tensions between the party leaders of the alliance and Basil Rajapaksa, a source familiar with the matter told Asian Mirror.

Both Athuraliye Rathana Thera and Kumaratunga told Asian Mirror that their requests elicited a positive response from the Prime Minister and the latter agreed to look into the matter.