A contest seems to be developing for the Chief Ministerial position in the North Western Provincial Council after its Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara and other UPFA members pledged to support President Maithripala Sirisena.

Jayasekara had pledges his support to Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday (12). On Monday, he and other UPFA members held a press conference and said that they will support the new president.

However, the opposition leader of the council, J.C. Alawathuwala, has told local media that he now has the support of the majority of the councilors.

Alawathuwala is a member of the United National Party. Therefore, he and Jayasekara are both supporters of Maithripala Sirisena government now.

However, UPFA won 34 seats. UNP won only 12 and the Democratic Party won 3. SLMC won 2 seats and the JVP won 1. Despite several crossovers, the UPFA still held a commanding majority. With its members now supporting Maithripala Sirisena, all council members are supporting the central government.