Former President Maithripala Sirisena says he will contest in the next presidential election under the Sri Lanka Freedom Party banner. Sirisena made the announcement at a special press conference held at the SLFP HQ today.

During the media briefing, he also apologised for the Easter Sunday attack during his tenure.

"The ruling does not say that I have committed an offence, but that the President is also accountable for the offences committed by the officers appointed by the President. That is my connection to the case," he said.