Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and Opposition Leader of the Uva Provincial Council Harin Fernando have threatened to resign from the UNP-led coalition and form an independent group in protest of the latest defections from the UPFA.

They have strongly expressed their disappointment over defections of Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan, Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, Anura Vidanagamage and Udith Lokubandara.

It is learnt that Fernando has personally contacted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremeisnghe to show his displeasure over the recent developments. Wickremesinghe, in response, had told Fernando to remain calm as it was a problem within the Sri Lanka Freedomn Party (SLFP).

However, Fernando and Fonseka had alarmed the government that they would immediately resign if government posts were given to post-election defectors such as Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, Uditha Lokubandara, Anura Vidanagamage and Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan.

“Those are the people who attacked our supporters during the presidential election and now they are joining President Maithripala Sirisenaw when their candidate is defeated. We have made a collective decision to break away from the government and form an independent group if they join the new government. We have no problem if they defect from the Rajapaksa faction of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and support President Maithripala Sirisena. But, they should not join the new government,” Fernando told ‘Asian Mirror’ this morning.