Mahinda agrees to step down as SLFP boss

Friday, 16 January 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has agreed to step down as head of his party, clearing the way for the country’s new president to take full control, an aide said yesterday.

President Maithripala Sirisena had been the general secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), but was kicked out of the party ahead of elections after he broke from Rajapaksa in November to become the common opposition candidate. Sirisena, who toppled longtime strongman Rajapaksa in last week’s polls, claimed the party leadership following the vote but Rajapaksa’s loyalists initially refused to back him, threatening to split the party. “He (Raja-paksa) met with President Siri-sena on Wednesday night and discussed the future of the SLFP,” the aide told AFP. “It was decided that at a (policy making) central committee meeting on Friday, Sirisena will be confirmed as the new leader of the party.” Sirisena’s election

bid was backed by a coalition of opposition parties after he defected from the Rajapaksa Government while serving as Health Minister to run for President. Party sources said his expulsion from the SLFP, however, had never been ratified. Sources close to the new Government said Sirisena was trying to forge a national unity administration before calling fresh parliamentary elections by the end of April. The Government has lodged a formal complaint with the police Criminal Investigations Department into allegations Rajapaksa tried to use military force to remain in power after losing last week’s election. The former president, who has denied the claim, also faces accusations of misuse of public funds and nepotism. Rajapaksa’s family stands accused of amassing huge wealth during his 10-year rule. Police say they are investigating the disappearance of a fleet of luxury presidential cars as he vacated his official residence.

Basil takes full responsibility for Mahinda’s defeat, quits as national organiser

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has resigned from his post as Sri Lanka Freedom Party National Organiser. A media release announcing his resignation yesterday said that Basil Rajapaksa had accepted full responsibility for the defeat of UPFA candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa in last week’s presidential election. “Basil Rajapksa led the UPFA Presidential Election campaign,” the statement said. In a letter to SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Basil Rajapaksa said he would continue to function as a UPFA backbencher in Parliament. He thanked SLFP members and all members and leaders of the UPFA’s constituent allies, especially UPFA leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, UPFA Secretary Susil Premajayantha, SLFP General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and all officers who assisted him in organising the election campaign in the letter. The former Minister hailed the dedication of the Elections Commissioner, Government officials, police and security personnel to their duties. He also thanked the people and their representatives in the Gampaha District for their cooperation and obedience of election laws that helped to maintain peace and law and order in the country, the statement said. (DB)

PM to meet UNP ministers and deputies

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to meet with all ministers and deputy ministers from the United National Party today. The meeting will take place at 3 p.m. at Temple Trees, Wickremesinghe’s media unit said. UNP members received several key cabinet and state ministerial portfolios on Monday, including the Finance, Foreign Affairs, Education, Highways and Public Administration ministries. (DB)