SLFP-led alliance’s inaugural rally on Saturday in Ambalantota

All preparations are in place for the inaugural public gathering of the new alliance led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) - United People’s Freedom Alliance, which is scheduled to take place in Ambalantota town on June 8 at 2:00 p.m., according to Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, Senior Vice President of the party and Minister of Agriculture and Plantations.

This public rally is scheduled to take place under the theme “Victory for the Country - Together for the future.”

The Minister added that he would take steps to limit participation in this rally to Hambantota district’s Sri Lanka Freedom Party members exclusively.

Only the party members of those districts will attend the rallies organized in their respective districts, particularly as plans have been drawn to hold public gatherings of the new alliance spanning every district in the future.

Meanwhile, the minister shared his thoughts regarding the announcement of Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala as the new General Secretary of the United People's Freedom Alliance at a press conference.

“Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala is not the General Secretary of United People's Freedom Alliance. He has not been legally given such a position. I have filed a case in court regarding that appointment. The Court has issued an injunction to prevent him or me from using that position until the case is over. Also, the Election Commission has sent a letter in this regard,” Minister Amaraweera said.

Therefore, he is making a mistake by claiming to be the General Secretary of the United People's Freedom Alliance. It is contempt of court. So I am taking legal action in this regard, he added.

Minister Amaraweera further claimed, “either he nor I have permission to do so. Also, after the court decision and the letter given by the Election Commission, I have never expressed my views as the General Secretary of the United People's Freedom Alliance. But I have a legal appointment as Secretary General of the United People's Freedom Alliance. All these are problems created by the former president of SLFP.”

Also, none of the parties and organizations that were with the United People's Freedom Alliance are now with them. All those people are now with us in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Therefore, they only have the board to show the UPFA. Also, this group is trying to combine the United People's Freedom Alliance with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB). They have been trying for that ever since. But we will not give it a chance, he mentioned.

“They can go personally and join SJB or any other party. There is no obstacle between us. But the minister also stated that Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala has no ethical rights to pretend to be the United People's Freedom Alliance illegally,” was where he stands.