19 September 2022 08:46 am Views - 94
By Sandun A Jayasekera
Senior vice President and the chief media consultant of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Prof. Rohana Laksman Piyadasa said the Central Committee (CC) and the Politburo of the SLFP expect to meet this week to review the party’s position and the steps to be taken on those who crossed over to the government ranks without the party approval.
“The SLFP would definitely take action on those who violated the party discipline. The party leader, former President Maithripala Sirisena has been given authority to take action against party members who betrayed the party. The party members and supporters urge the party leadership to take prompt action against them sooner than later. Therefore, prompt and strict disciplinary actions are imminent in the days to come, Prof. Piyadasa told Daily Mirror.
“However, I would like to put the blame for the erosion of the SLFP’s strength in Parliament at the doorstep of the government and the SLPP. At every discussion the SLFP had with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, we told in no uncertain terms that if the government wants to form an all-party inclusive interim government for a pre-determined period of time until a General Election is held, the government must talk to the party leadership of each political party represented in Parliament.
But President Wickremesinghe has backstabbed us and appointed 8 SLFP lawmakers as cabinet ministers and state ministers after plucking them individually without the consent of the SLFP. We have heard that he is scheming to appoint more SLFP members as ministers which would be a further betrayal,” Prof. Piyadasa lamented.
Senior vice President of the SLFP, Nimal Siripala De Silva and former General Secretary of the UPFA and SLFP stalwart Mahinda Amaraweera have been appointed as cabinet ministers. Six other SLFP parliamentarians, namely Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Jagath Pushpakumara, Shantha Bandara, Chamara Sampath Dasanayaka and Dr. Surendra Raghawan have accepted state minister posts without the party approval.