Former president Chandrika Bandaranaike requests Dayasiri Jayasekara not to destroy the SLFP

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna reached a memorandum of understanding today (October 10). Representatives from both parties gathered at the Foundation Institute in Colombo this morning and the agreement was signed by General Secretary of the SLFP, Dayasiri Jayasekara and legal secretary of the SLPP, Sagara Kariyawasam on behalf of their respective parties. The agreement signed was not issued to the media. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested the SLFP supporters to take this coalition, not as a betrayal to the SLFP and added that this was an alliance to protect the country and ensure the victory of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He added that they have united with the SLPP via a memorandum of understanding. He went on to note that both SLFP and SLPP could have a vote base of 6.5 mn ensuring victory at the election. Basil Rajapaksa, National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuana noted that the plan to unite SLFP and SLPP became a reality thanks to SLPP leader and SLFP leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena. He added that the SLPP foundation was laid by the SLFP and added that when Bandaranaike founded the SLFP in 1951 with the intention of functioning as a midwife. He added that is exactly what the SLPP has carried out. He further added that none who has contributed to the fruition of this alliance should be ignored, and protected alike. He added that the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was always thoughtful about the SLFP supporters as they initially supported him. He went on to note with that in mind he managed to bring everyone together including the trade unions and other organizations affiliated with SLFP and SLPP. Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has informed the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Dayasiri Jayasekara not to think only of personal interest and allow our precious Party to be destroyed. Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has posted her note to SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara on her Facebook page. In her post, former President Bandaranaike questions, "How can you decide to support Gotabaya, when over 90% of our organizers have stated they are against it?" The note reads, "If Maitri has said he wishes to give up the Presidency of the Party, we will support you to take up the Presidency and to rebuild Party. Former President Bandaranaike noted that our Party was weakened not because we joined the alliance with UNP and other Parties, but because our leader didn’t have the strength and the vision to lead the coalition, and also got fooled by the Rajapaksa conspiracy and destroyed the good and messed up the Party. The note further adds that if the SLFP was allowed to be built and the law was allowed to function properly and action was taken against murders and robberies, the country and SLFP would be strong by now.

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