Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R Sampanthan is to remain as the leader of the opposition.
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya told Parliament today that under the Parliament standing orders he cannot change the post of Speaker.
The joint opposition however raised concerns over the decision and insisted that the decision be reconsidered.
Jayasuriya however refused to change his decision saying it was in line with the Parliament standing orders.
Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella said that the demand by some joint opposition members to appoint a new opposition leader can be considered, only if those members leave the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and become independent members of Parliament. (Colombo Gazette)