SLFP disciplinary committee holds special meeting

COLOMBO (News 1st):- A special meeting of the disciplinary committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party was convened at the party headquarters this morning (January 18).  The meeting was held to conduct disciplinary inquiries against certain members who extended their support to other political parties. A spokesperson of the SLFP said MP Vijith Wijiyamuni Zoysa who pledged his support to the United National Party was summoned for the inquiry today. However, he was unable to be present as he was unwell and receiving treatment at a private hospital. The party spokesperson added, the attorney representing MP Vijith Wijiyamuni Zoysa had presented a medical certificate to the disciplinary committee. Accordingly, the committee had postponed the disciplinary inquiry against MP Vijith Wijiyamuni Zoysa to the 1st of next month. Meanwhile, SLFP national list MPs Dilan Perera, S.B.Dissanayaka and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, who pledged their support to the Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna, prior to the SLFP pledging their support to the SLPP, were given the opportunity to file preliminary objections today. A spokesperson said, the preliminary objections filed today by the respective MPs, were rejected by the disciplinary committee. Accordingly, the attorneys representing the defendants had requested the committee to provide the reasons for the rejection of the preliminary objections in writing, so they could appeal against the committee's decision. Accordingly, the disciplinary committee decided to summon MPs Lakshman Yapa, S.B. Dissanayake and Dilan Perera on the 8th of February, for further disciplinary inquiry proceedings. Today, Attorney at law Dinesh Pathirana represented MP Vijith Wijiyamuni Soya, while Attorney-at-law Sanjeewa Dissanayaka, upon the instructions of President's Counsel Ali Sabry represented MPs Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, S.B. Dissanayake and Dilan Perera. Attorneys at law Bandula Wellala and Bandara Senarath represented the SLFP. Meanwhile, the Senior Vice Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa commented on the manner in which the SLFP is working with the SLPP.

"I believe we are average members and the title of MP or minister does not matter. What really matters are the agreements established by the leaders of the party. However, we are ready to face any challenge. The SLFP has been criticized even before. We are used to criticism. We are ready to face any challenge that will come before us. We like to work as an alliance. However, if we are disregarded or not treated properly, we will find other alternatives" he said.

Meanwhile addressing a ceremony to welcome State Minister S. B. Dissanayake held at the Thissapala Vidyakeerthi Pirivena in Hanguranketa today (January 18), the state minister also expressed views on the matter.

"The SLFP group in Hanguranketa has already joined with the SLPP. So there is no Sri Lanka Freedom Party in Hanguranketa anymore. Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna gives leadership to this country. If we consider the previous Presidential election, we acquired only 127 electorates. But we needed 150. In order to increase 127 to 150, we can win 2 districts that we lost. One is Nuwara Eliya and the other is Vavuniya. Namal Rajapaksa had visited Vavuniya to work towards winning the electorate. They appointed me to Hanguranketa, so we can win the Nuwara Eliya district. All of us should get together and win in order to give strength to Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa" he added.