Helicopter alliance asserts Dayasiri’s removal not a mere party conflict

Friday, 8 September 2023 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says his removal and suspension convey a more expansive message
Claims Jayasekara’s removal an attack against opposition attempt to defeat President at next presidential poll
Accuses Govt. of attempting to dismantle alliance formed by opposition parties

Freedom People’s Congress (FPC) yesterday claimed that the removal of MP Dayasiri Jayasekara from his role as General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) conveys a more expansive message, rather than being viewed as merely an internal conflict.

Addressing the media following a party executive committee meeting, MP Weerasumana Weerasinghe said Jayasekara’s removal was an attack against the opposition’s attempt to defeat President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the next presidential election.

He accused the Government of conspiring to dismantle the alliance formed by the FPC, thereby leading to the SLFP.

“No one can single-handedly defeat Wickremesinghe and the Government. Therefore this is an attack on the attempts of all progressive forces in the country to band together to defeat Wickremesinghe and the clan. This is no internal conflict,” he opined. Weerasinghe said all parties of the alliance have agreed to back Jayasekara given the current circumstances.

In his remarks, MP Athuraliye Rathana Thera emphasised that members of the SLFP should now make a decision regarding their allegiance, particularly if Jayasekara was ousted by the SLFP for actively carrying out opposition-related duties.

FPC member Prof. Charitha Herath accused the Government of conspiring to remove progressive politicians within the SLFP.

During the meeting, the FPC also decided to write to SLFP Chairman Maithripala Sirisena expressing their opposition to the removal and suspension of Jayasekara.