Thenuka - Dilan dispute over SLPP leadership in Badulla district

Colombo (News 1st) - An issue regarding the SLPP leadership of the Badulla district is brewing. Thenuka Vidanagamage of the SLPP alleges that Dilan Perera is portraying himself as the SLPP leader of the Badulla district and had called for a meeting claiming it would be attended by Gotabaya Rajapaksa. However, MP Dilan Perera denied this accusation. MP of UPFA, Dilan Perera stated that there is no man to give leadership to the people of Badulla after the one from Kalutara had left. He highlighted that the people had asked for his leadership to make Gotabaya Rajapaksa the president of this country in order to topple the government. He noted that the people have appointed him as their leader in the Badulla electorate. Journalist raised a question regarding the presence of multiple leaders from the SLPP in the Badulla district and who their true leader is. In response to this, Thenuka Vidanagamage highlighted that it is the same people who spoke ill of Rajapaksas who have started to seek their help. "They spoke ill of Basil Rajapaksa. They criticized the Rajapaksa family. Those who grew with the Rajapaksa's, who became MPs and Ministers, and entered parliament with their support, criticized the Rajapaksas. But when they fail to enter parliament, they once again seek the support of the Rajapaksas", he continued. He emphasized that the people in Badulla despise such form of politics. "Our only objective is to appoint an SLPP leader as the next president of this country", he added. Though Thenuka Vidanagamage says their only objective is to appoint an SLPP leader as the next president of Sri Lanka, Chairman of the SLPP, G.L Pieris revealed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa is yet to obtain membership of the party yesterday (August 27). Why did G. L. Peiris make such a statement?