• They demanded 50% and 60% for them in the nomination list and we finally decided to give them the entire 100% and to go alone

By Sandun A Jayasekera

While claiming that the leadership of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the party’s politburo have unanimously decided to contest the LG polls alone, the media secretary of the SLFP, Weerakumara Dissanayaka yesterday said former SLFP minister and governor late Reginald Cooray succumbed to the distress and pressure exerted on him while preparing the nomination list of the SLFP, the media secretary of the SLFP, former parliamentarian Weerakumara Dissanayaka said yesterday. 

He charged that the former minister and governor, late Reginold Cooray’s untimely death was a result of the pressure, threats and distress exerted on him by the IPA when he was preparing the SLFP’s nomination list.  
‘‘They demanded 50% and 60% for them in the nomination list and we finally decided to give them the entire 100% and to go alone for the polls. It is the best solution for us as there was a conspiracy also to weaken the SLFP. Some were in a move to bury the SLFP,” he stressed.  

Meanwhile, the leader of the 43 Brigade, former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has joined the New Lanka Freedom Party (NLFP) led by former Minister Kumara Welgama.

‘‘Our main objective is to remove forever the Rajapaksas and their acolytes and the SLPP from Sri Lanka’s politics. But the entire IPA is a gang of rogues who served the Rajapaksas,” he added.  

Former Minister and head of the NLFP, Kumara Welgama said the helicopter is not a threat to the NLFP.  
“We may have committed offences and taken the wrong path. But we are not rogues,” he added.  

• Claims Some were all out to bury the SLFP
• ‘‘Our main objective is to remove forever the Rajapaksas and their acolytes and the SLPP from Sri Lanka’s politics