Sources from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party told that the party will contest the forthcoming Parliamentary Election with Nimal Siripala de Silva as its Prime Ministerial Candidate.

De silva was appointed as the Opposition Leader yesterday at the Central Committee meeting of the SLFP which was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

“The party’s election campaign at the next Parliamentary Election will be led by Nimal Sirirpala de Silva, and President Maithripala Sirisena will play a neutral role as the President of the country,” a senior spokesperson of the party, speaking to Asian Mirror, said last night.

He also added that the SLFP is likely to contest the election under its traditional symbol ‘Hand’.

President Sirisena, according to the spokesperson, will be in a position to work with any political party that comes to power with a clear mandate at the next general election.

“This development indicates that former President Rajapaksa has only meager chances becoming the Prime Minister after the next General Election. However, Parliamentarain Namal Rajapaksa will be able to contest from the Hambanthota district under the UPFA ticket,” he added.