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Murmurings of discontent against SF grow louder
Former army commander Sarath Fonseka’s Democratic Party (DP) was hit by a string of resignations on the eve of the provincial council elections, with at least four candidates included in the exodus. The party’s former media secretary, Sanjeewa Samarasinghe, told The Sunday Times many DP members had been quitting the party over a period as they could see no future for the party under the current leader.
Sarath Fonseka addressing a political rally.
“Twenty-two drivers who worked for Sarath Fonseka during Wayamba and Central Provincial Council election have resigned. More than 15 organisers of the Western and Southern provincial election have resigned since the end of December,” he claimed.He had decided to resign from the party due to dissatisfaction with the way it functioned. His letter of resignations had been accepted by the General Secretary of the DP, Ananda Manawadu.
“On February 6, Secretary Manawadu told me that Mr Fonseka asked me to join the party again and that I could not quit without a good reason,” Mr. Samarasinghe said. “On February 23, the General Secretary threatened that unless I rejoined, the party would issue a statement claiming I had been sacked due to fraud.
According to Mr. Samarasinghe, a police complaint against him had been lodged at the Welikada Police station at 15:45pm on February 26.
“I was summoned by the Welikada Police on March 5 but no one from the DP came to the police station,” he said.He said more resignations were expected after the elections.“We have been working hard for the development of this party but its leader doesn’t know how to talk to his members properly,” claimed the co-organiser of Kotte, Nalin Rajapakse.
He asserted that there was a lack of transparency within the party, adding, “The names of two people who work at SF’s office were included in the candidate list under preferential No. 31 and No. 37 without anyone being aware of this.”“I’m competing in this election for the DP as we have already established rapport among voters. But in future, unless someone else takes over the leadership from Mr Fonseka I would rather remain independent,” he said.
Minuwangoda electoral organiser Lalith Gunawardana said that although there was a financial committee in the party its president was such in name only.
“We have been donating a lot of money for outstation rallies, congratulatory posters, and so on but none of that money has gone through the committee. At the organisers meeting we have suggested to create a party fund for DP, but that was rejected by Mr. Fonseka,” he said.
Meanwhile addressing a press conference Mr Ketagoda this Tuesday stated that Sarath Fonseka would remain leader of the party and there was no need of change.
“All the leading political parties in this country are carried by their leaders’ initiative and likewise SF has built trust among the public for the good governance he would bring in,” Mr Ketagoda said, adding that those who were making demands for leadership change were acting on the agenda of the government and being tempted by money being received.
Speaking about the precautions taken when recruiting members he said, “We called for a police report from each and every candidate but there was no time to search beyond that. Our party is still at its initial stage and we intend to work out something in the future.”Mr. Ketagoda said DP candidates had been made to sign a legal agreement in order to discourage cross-over to other parties after being elected.
“This is why some of the candidates are leaving the party even before the elections and taking money from the government. In fact, it is good that we get rid of such people because there is no room for theft and fraud under Mr. Fonseka,” he said.