The Democratic Party would take legal action against its former Media Coordinator Sanjeewa Samarasinghe for making defamatory statements involving party leader Sarath Fonseka with the killing of the Editor of the Sunday Leader, Lasantha Wickramatunga a few years ago.

The party said that Sanjeewa Samarasinghe was suspended from the party.

Democratic Party Deputy Leader Jayantha Ketagoda said Mr. Samarasinghe had made false allegations against Mr. Fonseka on the instructions of certain members of the ruling party.

He said these members in the ruling UPFA were engaged in such an exercise to tarnish the image of the Democratic Party as it was gradually gaining ground.

He said the former Army Commander had even shared his meals with Mr. Samarasinghe, though he was now making allegations against him.

Mr. Samarasinghe in a news conference on Tuesday made various allegations against the Democratic Party leader stating that he was a dictator and had the dangerous attitude of destroying all his opponents. He even accused the former Army Commander of making plans to pull out of the Provincial Council elections at the last moment. (Yohan Perera and Sanath Desmond)



Pix bty Pradeep Pathirana