SLFP to extend UPFA’s minority reach in next LG polls

Thursday, 24 March 2016 00:46 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Untitled-2 By Chamodi Gunawardana

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) expects to expand the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA)’s membership by negotiating with new political parties to obtain a larger victory margin in upcoming Local Government elections.

Speaking at the weekly media briefing SLFP Parliamentarian Manusha Nanayakkara said his party will create more space than before for minority communities to ensure the party’s victory in all provinces.

“There was no such separation inside the party and at the end of the day we all are SLFPers. Majority of the SLFP including 38 Joint Opposition MPs are willing to mark another victory as one alliance. We believe no one wants to create a separate political party,” Nanayakkara said.

He stressed the party will never allow anyone to implement their personal political agendas by splitting the SLFP into pieces.

Western Province Chief Minister and Maharagama SLFP organiser Isuru Devapriya added President Maithripala Sirisena will appoint more new organisers for some electorates that do not have strong organisers.

“The SLFP newly appointed organisers will conduct reorganising programs in every electorate to gather more supporters. They will be more committed than some past SLFP organisers of the Joint Opposition,” he stated.

Devapriya also said he was able to gather a number of Local Government heads who are enthusiastic to contest under SLFP led UPFA at the forthcoming LG election.

Commenting on disciplinary action to be taken against the SLFP MPs who participated in the ‘Jana Satana’ Joint Opposition rally at Hyde Park Devapriya said the Central Committee will consider the views of those participants before taking action.

Nanayakkara added the issue will be taken for discussion at the next Central Committee meeting.