The journalists were removed saying the president was not going to speak.

Media personal were removed without giving any valid explanation just half an hour in to the Conference proceedings.

Presidential Security officials told the journalists to go out of the building saying, “the president is not going to speak today, so there is no point of being here.”

The reporters from many media organisation who had gathered to report the event were surprised by the eviction because they had received prior invitations from the media unit of the Presidential Secretariat.

Journalists were able to cover the arrival of the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse. He was greeted by the members with enthusiasm. Party members started clapping and cheering on his arrival.

Party Secretary Maithreepala Sirisena presented the Conference report. He said, “The talk about the party being week or slowly dissolving has no basis”.

He also accused the Members of parliament saying, “Since coming to power some of the members had even forgotten where the party office is!”

The journalists were ushered out during the Party secretary’s speech.

After the journalists were removed, the president addressed the Conference for over one and a half hours. It was reported that the president, in her lengthy speech, had attacked the parts of the government who she named as “nationalists against the peace process”. She had also said that she had 51% of the votes even before she formed the UPFA coalition.