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SLFP takes soft line on dissidents
View(s):By Damith Wickramasekara
Disciplinary action will not be taken against Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members who choose not to attend the party’s 65th Convention in Kurunegala next Sunday, SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake said yesterday.
He said attendance at the convention was purely voluntary. However, he emphasized that all those involved in the party would be invited to attend. Accordingly, all party organizers, Pradeshiya Sabha members, Provincial Councillors, current and former Ministers and MPs have all been officially invited to attend and had also been asked to bring crowds with them to the convention.
Mr. Dissanayake expressed optimism that President Maithripala Sirisena, along with former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who are patrons of the SLFP, would all attend the convention and be seated on the same stage.
“Last year also people were saying Mr. Rajapaksa would not attend the party convention. But, Lohan Ratwatte called us to confirm Mr. Rajapaksa was coming. We hope this will be the case next Sunday also. We have reserved a seat for him,” Mr. Dissanayake said.
He said no one should fear any mistreatment at the Convention. Chairs with name tags had already been set aside for dignitaries irrespective of who they were or whom they supported.