SLFP calls for explanation from five party members

By Sandun A. Jayasekera

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has called for explanation from five of its members who had allegedly breached party discipline and expects to conclude the process within a month, which includes nullifying their Parliamentary membership, General Secretary of the party, MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said yesterday. 

The SLFP has sent ‘Show Cause’ letters on Tuesday (3) to A. H. M. Fowzy, Vijith Wijayamuni Soyza, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana, S. B. Dissanayaka and Dilan Perera asking them to tender their explanation within seven days as to why they should not be dismissed from the party,  he added. 

“If they had failed to tender their explanation within seven days, we will take the action outlined in the Constitution applied to MPs who violate the discipline and party constitution. If they make a request for more time, we can consider, however, we are expecting to conclude the process in a month”, he said.  Responding to Daily Mirror, Mr. Jayasekara said SLFP would adhere to the legal procedure that has to be followed on members who have betrayed the party while adhering to the concept of natural justice to the letter. “We won’t commit the similar blunder which the UNP had done during Chief Justice Sarath Silva’s period. The concept of ‘Natural Justice’ would be followed to the letter while taking action against errant members, he emphasized. 

“We are not ready to make blunders this time as done in the past. After sacking the errant members, we will immediately appoint the next member in line in the district who had obtained the second highest number of votes following the errant member,” he said. 

“The SLFP hierarchy was trying hard to convince the betrayal of these members and take them back to the party. The party supporters were asking us as to why no disciplinary action has been taken against them after the most serious breach of party discipline by joining the SLPP or the UNP. Up to now we have been following a flexible and conciliatory attitude on them. But now we are of the view that enough is enough. Even the 19th Amendment to the Constitution clearly states that the party leadership has the power to expel party members who violate party discipline,” Mr. Jayasekara said.