CBK says decision to support Sajith does not affect the SLFP

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga has said her decision to support presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa has not affected the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

In a letter to SLFP Chairman President Maithripala Sirisena, the party’s patron expressed displeasure towards the SLFP’s decision to support presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

“According to our party’s constitution, such a decision should have been taken after convening a central committee meeting,” the letter stressed.

Kumaratunga’s letter had been sent to the President today, after her 'Api Sri Lanka’ party, joined the Democratic National Front alliance last week to support Premadasa at the November 16 vote.

She pointed out that she had not been invited to attend SLFP central committee meetings since June 2018, and that she had received an invitation this year, that too while she was overseas.

“(The party) had taken an ad hoc decision to enter into an agreement with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, violating the party’s constitution and traditions, while neither keeping me informed or giving me an opportunity to express my views,” Kumaratunga said.

The SLFP patron remarked that the “secret agreement” signed with the SLPP last month has marked the end of the SLFP.

She further pointed out that former SLFP Chairman Mahinda Rajapaksa, has built and is now giving leadership to a new party that is against the SLFP.

“However, not only action has not been taken against him, even a statement has not been issued yet,” Kumaratunga observed.