Mustapaha’s nomination as MP: Shermila Perera acted unilaterally on National List MP: Vajira

By Yohan Perera  

In response to the action taken by National Democratic Front (NDF) General Secretary Shermila Perera, who submitted the name of Faizer Mustapha for the National List MP position, UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena stated that Perera has acted unilaterally, as she was not authorized to fill national list slots.   

“The partners of NDF conferred and reached a consensus on certain aspects. Accordingly, the leaders decided to sign an MOU with the party which was called NDF. Accordingly, only the allies of NDF which contested the General Election under the gas cylinder symbol were vested with powers to decide on the two National List slots of the alliance. The NDF General Secretary was given a copy of the MOU which was apparently signed. She has failed to handover copies of the MOU to the partners of the alliance formed under the same name. The MOU has not been presented to the respective parties of the alliance. NDF General Secretary was never vested with powers to fill the National List slots,” Abeywardena said in a statement.   
He said partners of NDF will confer shortly and decide on the action against the step taken by NDF General Secretary to nominate Mustapha.   
Earlier Ms. Perera confirmed the she has sent in Mustapha’s name to the Election Commission. “I sent his name as per the view held by majority of members in the NDF alliance,” she told Daily Mirror.