A fresh crisis has erupted within the ruling alliance with SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam criticising their constituent party members over sending a letter to President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa demanding a countrywide lockdown.

Kariyawasam said some party leaders who signed the letter attended the Cabinet meeting where the ministers collectively decided not to impose a countrwide lockdown.

The SLPP General Secretary said the same members stepped out out of the meeting and gave a letter to the President to the contrary. He has also requested the President to conduct an inquiry into the letter.

Kariyawasam described this U-turn as a "conspiracy" against the SLPP-led government.

Ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila and Vasudewa Nanayakkara are among the Cabinet members wo signed the letter. Seven other constituent party leaders representing the government also signed the letter.

Kariyawasam is believed to be a close ally of Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa.