Former President Maithripala Sirisena has left for Thailand on a visit, it was reported.
A group consisting of nine persons has accompanied the former President on his visit.
Maithripala Sirisena had reportedly left for Bangkok, Thailand at around 12.55 am today.
The former President’s departure comes at a time when his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is facing a crisis.
An interim order was recently issued preventing Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP leader, following a complaint by former President and SLFP leader Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
The SLFP politburo met yesterday under Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga during which the former was appointed Acting Chairman of the SLFP.
Thereafter, a faction of the SLFP led by Maithripala Sirisena claimed that the politburo meeting cannot be convened as the party leader is vested with powers to call for such a meeting, but the SLFP now has no leader due to a court order.
Claiming that the politburo meeting and subsequent appointments were illegal, the SLFP faction said it would initiate legal actions against the decision. (Newswire)