Ten SLFPers to be suspended from membership

By Chamodi Gunawardane

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) expects to suspend ten former Local Government heads from the party’s membership who did not appear before the Central Committee (CC) last Tuesday, political sources said.

Last week the CC summoned ten members to be present at party head quarters on 29 March regarding the allegation of supporting Joint Opposition by violating SLFP’s disciplinary procedures.

Accordingly former Maharagama Mayor Kanthi Kodikara, former Moratuwa Mayor Saman Lal Fernando, former Walallawita Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Udeni Athukorala, former Gampaha Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Ranjith Gunawardane, former Attanagalla Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Priyantha Pushpakumara, former Mirigama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sarath Nandasiri, former Matale Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Kapila Bandara, former Ukuwela Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Somasiri, former Dambulla Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman K. G. Somathilaka and former Boralesgamuwa Municipal Council Chairman Aruna Priyashantha will be suspended from the party with charges of failure to admit party’s disciplinary rules.

However SLFP Spokesman and Minister Dilan Perera told media on Wednesday the CC will not take disciplinary actions against SLFP MPs who participated for the Joint Opposition ‘Jana Satana’ rally in Hyde Park and said suspending them will be a fulfillment of the United National Party (UNP)’s contract to split the party.