More JO Members to join SLFP: Dayasiri

• Namal, Prasanna accused of blocking attempts to unite SLFP

Taking an optimistic approach, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Minister and Cabinet Co-spokesman Dayasiri Jayasekara said that one or two members from the breakaway Joint Opposition (JO) group were expected to join the party in the lead-up to the local government elections. 

“There will be one or two crossing over every day,” Jayasekara predicted. 

Further, he accused parliamentarians Namal Rajapaksa and Prasanna Ranatunga of sabotaging any possible reconciliation between the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party faction and the JO. 

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet press briefing, Jayasekara said that talks between the two factions failed as Rajapaksa and Ranatunga were against any compromise. 

As talks fail, the Minster expects more JO members to join the SLFP in the coming weeks. 

“One or two members will come each day,” he said.

Stressing that President Maithripala Sirisena was determined to unite the SLFP ahead of the local government elections, Jayasekara said instructions had been given to the party membership to do what it took to bring both factions of the SLFP together in Parliament.Jayasekara said that while most SLFP members backed moves to unite the SLFP there were a few in the Joint Opposition, including Rajapaksa and Ranatunga, who blocked those moves.

He also said that members of the breakaway faction had spoken with the SLFP leadership indicating that they were willing to return to the party and extend their support during the upcoming elections. 

Activists of JO, UNP pledge support to President

Former Chairman of Deraniyagala Pradeshiya Sabha, Anura Kuruppu and its Deputy Chairman, L. T. Wijeywardena who were in the Joint Opposition met President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday and pledged their support for the President’s political movement.

They met President Sirisena at the President’s Official Residence.

Also, former member of Dehiovita Pradeshiya Sabha, Thomas Chaminda and the Secretary to the UNP Local Committee of Deraniyagala, A. V. Piyarathne joined the SLFP today and pledged support to the President.