SLFP sources said former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has agreed to hand over the Chairmanship of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena, SLFP sources said.

Former President Rajapaksa had told party seniors that he would hand over the position to President Sirisena to avoid a split in the party.

UPFA Parliamentarians were strongly divided following the presidential election with one group supporting President Sirisena and the other group backing former President Rajapaksa. With this move, Maithripala Sirisena, who was previously the General Secretary of the party, is now in full control of the SLFP.

With Sirisena as the SLFP Chairman, former President Rajapaksa is likely to be appointed as a Patron of the party, alongside former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

It is learnt that President Maithripala Sirisena has met former President Rajapaksa last night for a one on one meeting.

With the whole of the SLFP supporting President Maithripala Sirisena he can easily secure two thirds majority in the House. This will allow him to proceed with the 100 day programme and introduce constitutional amendments without legal or constitutional impediments.