The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is an undemocratic and unlawful political manoeuvre for it was a political exercise executed against the aspirations of the majority of the party membership, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga charged.
She made the above accusation against the SLFP Central Committee while addressing a large gathering of party members in Galle on Saturday. It had been organized by the Galle Faction of “Api Sri Lanka” (We are SLFPers) organization for the defence of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
“The Rajapaksas are trying to reinvent their usual authoritarian,undemocratic and currupt family rule in this country. We should not allow it.
We have to stop a tyrant from becoming the President of the country. If Gotabaya becomes the President, the freedom we enjoy today will be suppressed,” she added.
“Although there are many contenders in the present presidential race the most powerful and reliable opponent against Gotabaya is NDF Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa. Hence, I urge all our true SLFPers to vote for Sajith Premadasa at the forthcoming Presidential Election,” Kumaratunga insisted.
“There was a meeting of party electoral and district Organizers islandwide headed by President Maitripala Sirisena which had been arranged by the SLFP Headquarters on the directives of party General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara at President House recently. At the said meeting, the views of organizers over the proposed coalition with SLPP was sought.
Over 90% of the participants at the event vehemently opted to nominate a candidate from SLFP to contest the forthcoming Presidential Election,” Kumaratunga said.
“The participants were given three choices, such as, to support New Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Sajith Premadasa, or to support SLPP Gotabaya Rajapaksa or to put forward a candidate from SLFP in respect of the Presidential Election. Over 90% of the party leaders agreed upon to nominate the party’s own candidate and not become a political appendage of any other party,” former President Kumaratunga added.
(Daily News)