Southern PC members reject extension of UNP-SLFP agreement

Southern Provincial Council Member Krishantha Pushpakumara (second from left) speaking to media as Southern Provincial Council Member Chamila Withanachchi (right) looks on – Pic by Lasantha Kumara

By Chamodi Gunawardana

Rejecting the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)’s decision to extend the two-year agreement with the United National Party (UNP) on a Unity Government for another three years, a group of Southern Provincial Council members yesterday claimed they would not support the SLFP until the Central Committee withdrew the decision.

Addressing the media at former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s media relations office, Southern Province Council Member Chamila Withanachchi said 27 out of 33 United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) members of the Southern Provincial Council were of the opinion the coalition should end with the exception of Southern Chief Minister Shan Wijelal De Silva. 

“Wijelal is biased towards the UNP and has said no Southern PC member will support Rajapaksa or the Joint Opposition. That was his personal thinking and it does not indicate the opinion of all members,” he said.

Southern Provincial Council Member Krishantha Pushpakumara claimed they would not participate in the upcoming SLFP 65th anniversary celebrations if the Central Committee was unable to cancel the decision which was taken on a five-year Unity Government with the UNP.

“We are totally opposed to the decision and we cannot agree with the UNP’s unfair policies. That was why even I left the UNP years ago,” he said. 

“If the party withdraws the decision we will contest under the UPFA for the next local government election and we do not want to form an alternative political party,” he added.  

Last week the SLFP Central Committee members adopted President Maithripala Sirisena’s proposal to extend the agreement with UNP for another three years. SLFP General Secretary Minister Duminda Dissanayake confirmed the decision and rejected any moves to change the coalition.