Conflict within SLFP escalates as pro-Maithri faction appoints new chairman

• SLFP gets new officer bearers   
• Nimal Siripala faction opposes new appointments  

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

In a move to revitalize the party ahead of the Presidential election, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) has appointed a new Chairman and an acting General Secretary amidst confrontations within the party. 

• However, on April 24, the Colombo District Court issued an injunction order preventing Rajapakshe from functioning as the Acting Chairperson of the SLFP 

 Accordingly, the Executive Committee of the SLFP convened for a crucial meeting yesterday, where a unanimous decision was reached to appoint Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the new Chairman while Attorney-at-Law Keerthi Udawatte was appointed as the Acting General Secretary of the party.Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was appointed as the new Chairman after Maithripala decided to step down as the party’s Chairman.  

The executive committee’s deliberations culminated amid a host of issues the party is facing at present.  

Daily Mirror learns that the faction led by Nimal Siripala, who was appointed an acting Chairman a month ago has expressed concerns over the new appointments.  Against this backdrop, the appointment of Nimal Siripala as the acting Chairman became null and void following Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was appointed as the Acting Chairperson of the SLFP during an Executive Committee meeting held on April 21 by the party faction led by former President Maithripala Sirisena.  However, on April 24, the Colombo District Court issued an injunction order preventing Rajapakshe from functioning as the Acting Chairperson of the SLFP.  In response, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe filed a petition seeking to suspend the interim injunction, which the Court of Appeal (CA) dismissed on May 7th.