SLFP downfall began 5 years ago - MP Dayasiri Jayasekara

COLOMBO (News 1st) - General Secretary of the SLFP, Dayasiri Jayasekara said the decision made to support SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa was based on upholding the values, integrity of the SLFP. He made this statement on Facebook in response to views expressed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge about the decision made to support Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The General Secretary said " Under no circumstances have we compromised the very party founded by your late father Hon. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike." He added "In light of the policy framework and the founding principles of the party we are not in a position to support the UNP. The policies and framework of the UNP is contrary to our party policy." He went on to note that "The present downfall of the SLFP was due to a coalition arrangement with the UNP. As a result, today our party, which was once the number one force in the country has been downgraded to the third in a span of 5 years." The General Secretary said, "I would like to mention that the Central Committee of the SLFP decided on the above decision to which I acted as the General Secretary of the party." He also said, "It is our responsibility to the people of Sri Lanka irrespective of party and personal politics to see a country prosper."