SLFP prunes leader’s authority, sweeping changes incorporated into party constitution

Colombo, Dec. 15 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has introduced sweeping changes to its Constitution, significantly pruning the authority of the party chairman or leader, an official said.

Party Treasurer Lasantha Alagiyawanna told the Daily Mirror that the SLFP had strengthened its internal democracy through these reforms, describing it as possibly the party with the most robust internal democratic structure.

“In other parties, leaders tend to wield excessive authority. Decision-making is often concentrated solely in the hands of the leader,” he said.

He noted that while the party leader previously had the authority to recruit or remove any member, such decisions must now be made only with the concurrence of the Politburo.

“The party leader still has the power to recruit or remove members and office-bearers. However, such decisions must now be made only with the approval of the Politburo. Previously, the party leader could appoint all 15 members of the Politburo. He or she could expel anyone opposing him and replace them with loyalists. Now, the leader can appoint only seven members to the Politburo, and even that must be done in consultation with the other members. The remaining eight members hold their positions by virtue of their offices, such as the General Secretary, National Organiser, Treasurer and others,” Alagiyawanna said.

He also said that earlier the party leader served as the head of the party’s women’s and youth wings, a practice that has now been abolished under the latest constitutional amendments.

In addition, the minimum age for party membership has been lowered from 18 to 16. The party has also appointed MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake as National Organiser and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as Senior Vice Chairman.

Former Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva is the current chairman of the SLFP. It was held by former Presidents Maitripala Sirisena, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in the past.