The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by former president Maithripala Sirisena has failed in an attempt to get its breakaways who have joined the government to return to the party, political sources said.
Eight out of the 14 SLFP MPs are in the government, holding cabinet and state minister portfolios.
Party chairman Sirisena has hosted a meeting at his official residence to discuss their return to the party.
Party dissidents Nimal Siripala de Silva, Lasantha Alagiyawanne, Jagath Pushpakumara and Chamara Sampath Dassanayake were attendance.
The SLFP’s general secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara, senior vice president Shan Wijayalal de Silva and MPs Sarathi Dushmantha Mitrapala and Angajan Ramanathan were also present.
During the talks, the dissidents asked that they be reinstated in their suspended party positions.
It was rejected by the SLFP due to their remaining with the government and opposing the party policy.
