The briefing was held to announce that nine district leaders of the SLFP (M) and 31 others had met President Rajapaksa last Thursday (Feb. 25) and offered to return to the "Maha Gedara" once again.

The District Leaders from Colombo, Kandy, Gampaha, Badulla, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kalutara, Kegalle and Kurunegala were among them and numerous others will follow very soon.

"We took the decision to rejoin the SLFP after discussions with various committees at District level - President Rajapaksa too had the same ideals of not only the SLFP (M), but all major opposition political parties for Constitutional changes to abolish the Executive Presidency, change the preferential (‘Manape’) system, reducing the Cabinet of ministers to 35, good governance and an end to bribery and corruption. We will support the President and the UPFA to return to power at the forthcoming election" said Dr. Senaratne.

He said that they decided to join Mangala Samaraweera’s SLFP (M) as both Samaraweera and the late Sripathi Sooriaaratchi were given a "Raw Deal" by the SLFP. He said: We cannot accept Mangala’s statement that he cannot accept the President’s re-election result when even Ranil Wickremesinghe the UNP and Opposition Leader, said that the January Presidential Election was free and fair. He (Mangala) even criticised General Fonseka and said that he was not even fit to lead the Salvation Army. Our people cannot and will not accept this criticism.

Samaraweera also said that even if we beg on the streets, we should not join the UNP. What has he done now? He has fooled the people of the SLFP (M) by not only joining the UNP, but contesting under the elephant symbol. He said: Mangala was behind the breaking up of the UNF government in 2004. He has now joined hands with the same UNP. President Rajapaksa welcomed us back like prodigal sons.

The Assistant Secretary of SLFP (M) and a Central Committee member, said that Mangala Samaraweera takes dictatorial decisions and does not permit any person to talk at discussions. There are also financial irregularities, and one of the founders of the SLFP (M), Tiran Alles, is backing the DNA under General Fonseka.

Kegalle’s Mahanama Dissanayake said that President Rajapaksa said that he always knew and predicted that Mangala Samaraweera will join the UNP one day.

Yatiyantota’s Piyaratne Senanayake said that Mangala Samaraweera was a power hungry politician, and that he would make Ranil Wickremesinghe "Look a Fool" and grab power in the UNP. He is a shameless character, who should be thrown out of politics forever, he said.