Former North-Central Province Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake said he had instructed the 120 provincial councillors who were prepared to support him for the post of chief minister to withdraw their affidavits.

“They are all quite young and have a long way to go in the field of politics. I do not wish to abandon them by encouraging them to resign over this issue which I consider is a grave injustice done upon them,” Mr.Dissanayake told Daily Mirror.

He said he would not accept any Cabinet or non-Cabinet portfolio in the provincial council and would remain an ordinary provincial councillor. (Lakna Paranamanna)