In what seems to be the biggest crossover in the political history of the country, over 20 MPs of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party today pledged support to President Maithripala Sirisena and made him the new Chairman of the party.

Among the group who pledged support to the President were Sarath Amunugama, Athauda Seneviratne, Reginald Cooray, T.B. Ekanayake, Wijith Wijayamuni Soysa, S.B. Navinna, Jagath Pushpakumara, Dayasiri Jayasekera and Piyasena Gamage. Sanath Jayasuriya and Karuna Amman have also said that they would support President Maithripala Sirisena.

President Maithripala Sirisena has been appointed chairman of the SLFP by a quorum of party members who gathered at his premises this evening. They also appointed Duminda Dissanayake as the General Secretary of the party and Janaka Bandara Tennakoon as the National Organizer. Former Senior Minister S.B. Navinna was appointed as the new Treasurer of the SLFP.

Former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa were appointed as patrons of the party.

Former Deputy Minister Faizer Mustapha said the appointments were made in accordance with the party constitution. He also said the Central Committee also annulled previous decision made by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to suspend Maithripala Sirisena's party member.  He also explained that the majority of Sri Lanka Freedom Party Central Committee members now support Maithripala Sirisena.

Parliamentarian Arjun Ranatunga who was also present at the President's house said over 30 MPs have decided to support President Maithripala Sirisena.

Meanwhile, a parallel Central Committee meeting of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party is now underway at the Party headquarters in Colombo 10 with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the chair. The group who gathered at President Maithripala Sirisena's residence said the parallel "Central Committee meeting" was unconstitutional!