SLFP will accept Chandrika if returns: Dayasiri

Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga is welcome to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) or to the proposed SLFP-SLPP alliance at any time though she has been removed from the post of SLFP organizer of the Attanagalla electorate, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said today.

He said the SLFP would talk to Ms. Kumaratunga shortly to woo her back to the party.

Mr. Jayasekera, who is also the National Organizer of the ‘Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Peramuna’ (SLNPP) told a news briefing that if she came back, it would further strengthen the SLFP and the SLNPP.

“We have no animosity against Ms. Kumaratunga. The SLFP suspended her from the post of organizer under the party constitution. The SLNPP is a strong political force in the country led and guided by two former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena and sitting President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. If Ms, Kumaratunga comes back to the party it will be a huge blessing and the SLNPP will have the luxury of being led by three former presidents and one incumbent President,” he said.

Mr. Jayasekera said the cordial chat between Ms. Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Rajapaksa at the Independence Day celebrations showed that any differences could be sorted out. (Sandun A Jayasekera)