Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today officially announced that he will be handing over the leadership of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to President Maithripala Sirisena, with effect from today.

“Having held membership and various offices including the Party leadership, and having nurtured and safeguarded the Party with great dedication for over 50 years, I am taking this decision as I have a great dislike to see the Sri Lanka Freedom Party face the danger of division,” he said in a statement.

“It is the responsibility of all of us who love the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to ensure the unity of the Party, which has helped protect and develop our Motherland.”

“Therefore, the new leadership, the Executive Committee and all officials of the Party should steer it towards the welfare of not only the Party but the entire Nation as well.”
 
“I believe that all of you will pay heed to your responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of all Party members as well as upholding democracy within the Party. I also wish to further emphasize that I will strongly represent the wishes and aspirations of the more than 5.7 million members of the public who voted for me at the recent Presidential Election.”

“I also take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you for the support extended to me throughout the years,” Rajapaksa said.

Ada Derana yesterday reported that the former President had agreed to hand over the Chairmanship of the SLFP to President Maithripala Sirisena, bowing to the demand of party members after his shock election defeat.

The Central Committee of the SLFP met last evening to ratify the appointment of President Sirisena as Chairman.

Sirisena was the general secretary of the SLFP but was expelled from the party by Rajapaksa ahead of polls as he broke away from the then ruling alliance in November to become the challenger in the polls.