SLFP to boycott today’s Cabinet meeting

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party has decided to boycott today’s (10 April) weekly meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. 

According to political sources, following extensive discussions yesterday (9 April) by the SLFP Central Committee, it was decided that all SLFP Cabinet Ministers would boycott today’s scheduled Cabinet meeting. 

The Central Committee meeting, which took place at President Maithripala Sirisena’s official residence on Paget Road, was chiefly held to discuss the future of the Party within the Unity Government. 

Sources revealed that during the meeting, Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa had proposed that the SLFP leave the Unity Government. His proposal was seconded by Minister S. B. Dissanayake, with Ministers Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana and Chandima Weerakkody showing their support for leaving the Government. UPFA General Secretary Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and SLFP General Secretary Minister Duminda Dissanayake, however, staunchly opposed the move. 

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, too, insisted that the SLFP should remain in the Government. 

Following a heated discussion, where a majority supported an SLFP exit from the Government, some SLFP MPs had called for the removal of the UPFA and SLFP General Secretaries, sources said. 

It was decided that the SLFP would refrain from attending today’s Cabinet meeting, but no final decision on the future of the Party within the Unity Government was reached. 

The SLFP Central Committee is to meet again on Wednesday (11 April) to come to a final decision. (SG)