Tussle for candidacy leads SLFP to go solo in some areas at LG Polls

By Kelum Bandara  

The tussle among party men to secure candidacy has resulted in Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the key ally of the newly formed Freedom People’s Alliance, deciding to go solo at the local authorities’ election in selected areas, a top source said.  

The SLFP led by former President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed organizers for electoral wards within the local government areas. With the formation of the latest alliance, some of them have to make way for the accommodation of candidates from other parties and groups. This has irked local organizers of the party which finally decided to break ranks with the alliance at least in some local authorities.   

The new alliance is an amalgam of 12 parties. A source from the alliance said the SLFP will contest under the new alliance’s helicopter symbol in districts such as Hambantota and Kurunegala. However, the party will contest under its hand symbol in districts such as Polonnaruwa which is the constituency of Mr. Sirisena. It will also contest in the same way in the districts of the North and the East.  

The Election Commission has called for nominations to conduct the elections to the local authorities, the third tier of government. They have functioned without elected representatives for the last one year.