Maithri should take responsibility for splitting SLFP: MR

18 August 2016 03:38 pm - 42 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa today charged the yesterday’s removal of 16 SLFP electoral organizers had effectively caused a split in the SLFP and that President Maithripala Sirisena should take the responsibility for splitting the party.

Issuing a statement, he said the decision by the President to replace popular organisers of the SLFP with less popular politicians is the latest round of reprisals against SLFP members associated with the Joint Opposition.

“On earlier occasions, Dilum Amunugama, Salinda Dissanayake, S.M. Chandrasena, Geetha Kumarasinghe and Prasanna Ranatunga were similarly removed from their organiserships. Puttlam district parliamentarian Sanath Nishantha was suspended from the party. This persecution has effectively caused a split in the SLFP,” he said.

Sixteen electoral organizers including Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Pavithra Wanniarachchi,
Rohitha Abeygunawardena, C.B. Ratnayake, Gamini Lokuge, Kheliya Rambukwella and several others were removed from their organiserships by the President on Wednesday.

Mr. Rajapaksa said the move would weaken the SLFP and act in favour of the UNP as organizers such as
Prasanna Ranatunga, who got the highest preferential votes in the Gampaha district, had also been removed.

“These are all very popular politicians and stalwarts of the SLFP. Nationally known figures have been replaced with individuals who are either defeated candidates. Such changes are designed to weaken the SLFP and to give the UNP the upper hand when it comes to an election. The responsibility for splitting the SLFP by removing its most popular electoral organisers will finally have to be borne by the President who is the leader of the party,” he said.

He charged the removal of organisers was the second phase in a plan to destroy the SLFP and the first was the dissolving of the local government institutions.

“These local government institutions would have been immensely helpful to the party in the event of any election. Yet all these were dissolved, giving a clear advantage to the UNP. The coalition between the UNP and the SLFP was extended from two years to five years without seeking the views of the SLFP central committee. I call upon all members of the SLFP to carefully observe these moves that are being made to weaken the party and give the UNP the upper hand,” he said.

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Comments - 42

Sincere Thursday, 18 August 2016 09:33 PM

Rogues must be removed even by splitting a party!

REALPATRIAT Thursday, 18 August 2016 05:18 PM

YOU HAVE TOTTALY FORGOTTEN UR DUTY .YOU ARE THE ONLY PRESIDENT IN THE SRILANKAN HISTORY GOT DEFEATED .SO YOU SHOULD HAVE PAVED WAY FOR THE WINNER WITHOUT BLOCKING HIS FOWARD MARCH. via DM Android App

REALPATRIAT Thursday, 18 August 2016 05:23 PM

EVERYBODY KNOWTHE ONES WHO ARE TRYING TO TARNISH THE GOOD NAME OF THE PARTY. NOW SLFP HAS BECOME CORRUPTION FREE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. via DM Android App

REALPATRIAT Thursday, 18 August 2016 05:28 PM

BACKBONE BROKEN DICTATOR LAMENTS AND SHED CROCODILE TEARS. via DM Android App

usuf Thursday, 18 August 2016 07:23 PM

Pres. Maithri deserves our admiration for his bold action by kicking out d corrupt political thugs. via DM Android App

Shelly. Thursday, 18 August 2016 07:46 PM

Has enough evidence in this statement to sack M. R. from the party. He has levelled unfounded charges against his party leader to arouse party members to go against the leadership via DM Android App

Jeff Thursday, 18 August 2016 07:50 PM

Well said!

Ghaffa Thursday, 18 August 2016 08:25 PM

My dear Ex President, its not the present President who should be responsible, Its should you, one a man get the top post he should no more interest on those position. you better realize and rest at home.

Cobra Thursday, 18 August 2016 08:30 PM

Please somebody tickle my scales, I am out of hisses!!!

Ram Thursday, 18 August 2016 09:15 PM

When MR was in power it was a kitchen politics. Today we see a democratic politics. People will never bring MR and his crooks back to power. High tine for them to retire.

Pincha Thursday, 18 August 2016 09:33 PM

If MR had retired from politics after the defeat in 2015 January, then the SLFP would be still remain as one unit. When you listen to those guys like WW, Dinesh and others who are not least bothered about the party but about their own benefits, M3 has no choice but to remove the weed from the party.

Selvyn Thursday, 18 August 2016 05:14 PM

My point is MR dug his own pit of hell and he cant come out of it any more. So its better to have this people friendly govt via DM Android App

Appachi Friday, 19 August 2016 07:58 AM

Only Channa has sense noh.......have you looked in a mirror......hooooooo

Ravi Friday, 19 August 2016 08:51 AM

No you and you are family is responsible for the whole mess.

Desmond Jeromme Friday, 19 August 2016 09:20 AM

Mahinda because of your greediness for power SLFP was splitted. Because of joining with rotten fellows like Gamampilla

Aba Jayasekera Friday, 19 August 2016 10:14 AM

Ha Ha!! MR wants to form a party of SLFP discards, split the SLFP and lay the blame on MS.

Aba Jayasekera Friday, 19 August 2016 10:19 AM

CBK had no policies to speak of. Only was cunning to possess power

Pincha Friday, 19 August 2016 10:24 AM

The four red dislikes show the existence of weed.

pradeep Friday, 19 August 2016 11:13 AM

MP mahinda did u honestly follow or followed party rules when u were slfp leader or atleast now. stop poluting the country plz. via DM Android App

Sunil Friday, 19 August 2016 03:48 PM

What expertise does he have?

Waco Friday, 19 August 2016 04:40 PM

During the last general election. M3 used his official / Presidential power to work against MR, which was wrong.M3 and CBK got together and join hands with UNP. Didn't M3 split the party by doing that?M3 must not forget , he is in power because of UNP voters.What MR says is correct.

nuwan Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:21 PM

MR - enough is enough! Unlike ur permanent saloon door, Mithree had it open for a limited period of exactly one year to let the JO behave themselves in a more responsible manner, regardless those expelled behaved in an uncivilized manner by all accounts! so they fully deserve it!

hafildeen Thursday, 18 August 2016 03:58 PM

Decision taken by M3, definitely will strengthen the party because already thugs and crooks are removed from the party. Breifly saying M3 is in the process of cleansing the party.

IVJ Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:00 PM

This is called cleansing the party. It'll strengthen the party, won't weaken.

Labby Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:00 PM

Oh shattup... you had the upperhand for 10 years and every one knows what you've been doing with it. Now go on licking your wounds.

gihan Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:05 PM

No MR your the cause if the party split because of your greed for power and breaking people from the party to form JO

Kj Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:09 PM

As a SLanakan I don't bother.. As long as no one dividing SLanakans in any means.. Let's us strive for "Sri Lankan" identity than any political identity.

Dexter Perera Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:11 PM

Then...why not talk during SLFP meeting !!!But MR went and join..JO what reason ....when have Joint government non them cant play....

dham Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:12 PM

Keep petty politics aside and try to contribute to the with your expertise and as a FORMER president. . via DM Android App

De Silva Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:13 PM

What is he doing with the JO??? Isn't that splitting the party going against the leader??

Bala Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:15 PM

Good joke - you go against the slfp and then you say - not me, its him. About time your tail hangers got it fair and square.

Ravin Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:16 PM

MR my answer to you from hell

ANTON Thursday, 18 August 2016 03:56 PM

BUT MR STARTED THIS FIRST BY PLAYING DOWN CBK POLICIES.

L Raja - Australia Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:32 PM

Dear Mahinda, please get out of this SLFP mentality and let the JO form a new political force in Sri Lanka. I think Sri Lankans had enough of this bloody SLFP and UNP drama.

willows Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:37 PM

The split was with the forming of so called JO, who has nothing than a bunch of crooks,thugs and looters.

daily boru Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:38 PM

MR you never thought this will happen. Den sathutui ne?

Channa Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:58 PM

those who have commented here doesn't have any sense . People voted for SLFP didn't vote them to form a government with UNP , That is the truth . They are waiting for the next election. M3 was not the SLFP candidate and doesn't have popularity among SLFPers. He knows about that and want to hang on to UNP for his survival

warren Thursday, 18 August 2016 04:59 PM

has he woken up from deep sleep

Dee Thursday, 18 August 2016 05:02 PM

Oh Really!

dean Thursday, 18 August 2016 05:03 PM

At last we have gentle man politician who is not hungry for power and not a racist who could unite sri lanka as one sri lankan identity.god bless our president.

Maniya Thursday, 18 August 2016 05:06 PM

This wouldn't have happened if you have stayed home as an Ex-President.

Aba Jayasekera Thursday, 18 August 2016 05:13 PM

(MR) Maithri, you are splitting the Party! (Maithri) Me, Sir! Yes you Sir! Not I, Sir!. Who then, Sir ! . You, Sir! Maithri's action is understandable. He had to take action against Prasanna et al , because though nominally in the SLFP they recognized only MR as Leader. It is MR by supporting Prasanna et al who was directly and solely responsible for splitting the Party.

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Maithri should take responsibility for splitting SLFP: MR

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