• Party spokesman says SLFP had to face many unfortunate incidents during compilation of nominations list
• Confirms SLFP politburo has now decided to face upcoming LG polls alone
• Claims SLFP’s Reginald Cooray’s sudden death was caused due to threats faced during a meeting on nominations with other coalition partners

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has decided to part ways with the newly formed Freedom People’s Alliance after disagreements arose when compiling the nominations list for the upcoming Local Government elections. 

The party will now contest under its own party banner and ‘hand’ symbol.  SLFP Spokesman MP Weerakumara Dissanayake said the decision was taken by the party politburo on Sunday after issues arose within the Freedom People’s Alliance when compiling nomination lists. He said the committee decided the party will now place deposits to contest for all Local Government institutions under the ‘hand’ symbol. 

“We ask all leaders, electoral organisers and members of the SLFP to work towards the victory of the party and the hand symbol within the short time given,” he said. According to Dissanayake, despite talks to face the polls as an alliance the SLFP had to face many obstacles and issues when compiling the nominations list. 

“SLFP’s Reginald Cooray suffered a sudden medical health emergency and passed away after facing threats when attempting to compile nominations with others,” he said. “The SLFP had to face such unfortunate incidents. Therefore, the SLFP leadership has decided the best solution is for the party to face the polls alone,” he added. 

The Freedom People’s Alliance was launched in Colombo last week. It consisted of the SLFP and nine other political parties as well as independent groups including the two breakaway groups of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the National Freedom Congress led by the G.L. Peiris faction, and the Uththara Lanka Sabhagaya (Supreme Lanka Coalition) led by Wimal Weerawansa. It was to contest under the ‘Helicopter’ symbol at the upcoming polls.  

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