Three members elected to the Eastern Provincial Council from the SLMC and one member from the TNA have agreed to support the government to form a majority in the Council, sources from Temple Trees said.

The results of the Eastern Provincial Council election have indicated that none of the parties have received a clear majority to form the administration of the Council. The government therefore has managed to get the support of the three SLMC members and one TNA member by negotiating through various members and offering numerous perks and privileges to them.

The UPFA has received 14 seats in the Council including the bonus seats. According to the Provincial Councils Act, the Governor would appoint the Chief Minister and invite the party with the majority to form the administration of the Council. However, since the opposition parties in the Council have over 14 seats, this law does not come into effect.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister of the North Central Province Berty Premalal Dissanayake is likely to lose the post following the election results. Minister S.M. Chandrasena’s brother, S.M. Ranjith polled the highest number of preferential votes beating Dissanayake. S.M. Chandrasena and his supporters have requested the President to appoint S.M. Ranjith as the Chief Minister of the North Central Province.

Dissanayake has said that he would retire from politics if another person is appointed as the Chief Minister of the Province.