By W.K. Prasad Manju
In a dramatic turn of events in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), several changes to the party top rung is expected to take place very shortly as the crisis had deepened within the party rank file, political sources disclosed yesterday.
It is learnt that Janaka Bandara Tennakoon is likely to replace Anura Priyadharshana Yapa as the General Secretary of the SLFP. S.B. Dissanayake is tipped to become the General Secretary of the UPFA with Susil Premajayantha most likely to be moved out from that position. Dr. Rajitha Senaratne will replace Premajayantha as National Organizer of the SLFP. These changes will be made as Anura Yapa and Premajayantha have not followed the instructions of President Maithripala Sirisena who is also the Chairman of the SLFP and the UPFA.
In addition, a number of new members will be appointed to the Central Committee of the UPFA. According to the SLFP Constitution the Chairman can appoint 25 members to the Central Committee. Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena held a meeting yesterday at his residence at Wijerama Road, Colombo. A number of SLFP seniors, including Nimal Siripala de Silva, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and W.D.J. Seneviratne took part in the meeting, the sources disclosed.
Susil Moots plan to boost Mahinda
Plunging the SLFP into a deep crisis, National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Susil Premajayantha was reported to have taken an initiative to promote the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa through the party yesterday (04), party sources revealed.
The initiative was implemented with the participation of a group of lawyers attached to the SLFP yesterday at the Opposition Leader's Office. The meeting was held under the auspices of the Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva.
Several sources confirming the information to Ceylon Today claimed that 23 lawyers had been present at this discussion. They were led by the Attorney-at-law, Mary Dickman.
During the meeting Premajayantha had emphasized that the party was in a state of collapse following President Maithripala Sirisena's statement which said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will not be given nominations through the SLFP. He had added that the meeting between the President and the former President had not been successful though they had high expectations.
He stressed the group of lawyers at yesterday's meet should gear themselves to face this new turn of events under his leadership.
He had further emphasized that he would meet with the President last night and added that he may lose his post as General Secretary of the UPFA.
Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva expressing opinion on the issue had said that others in the SLFP would not leave the party in the hands of individuals like Patali Champika Ranawaka and Rajitha Senaratne.
Sumith Parakrama, Chaminda Kularathne, Sagala Kariaywasam, Sumith Wijesinghe, D. S. Ambagahawatte, Premachandra Eepa, Senarath Jayasundara and several other attorneys close to the party were present at the meeting.
