Decision to support SLPP will dissolve SLFP : MP Kumara Welgama

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Convening a media briefing in Colombo today, Sri Lanka Freedom Party explained the decision made to pledge their support to the SLPP. A number of party seniors and officials were present at the media briefing that was held at the Party Headquarters down Darley Road today (October 09). Nimal Siripala de Silva, Senior Vice President SLFP noted that they would support SLPP based on some conditions. He added that they have formulated an agreement for this purpose that was agreed upon with Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He shared that halfway into the alliance if they feel that it would not work out they will choose to contest the parliamentary, provincial and local government elections under an alliance with the chair symbol. He went on to note that they approved the name Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandhanaya and agreed on how they will share powers within the alliance. "Podujana Peramuna cannot treat us differently. They must treat our supporters and representatives as equals" he added. General Secretary of the SLFP Dayasiri Jayasekara noted that they would sign the MoU within a few days and they might summon all the organizers across the country and sign it before them. They will also invite Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the Party convention and sign an MoU with him. Mahinda Amaraweera, General Secretary of the UPFA noted that Thondaman's party will pledge their support to Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Athaulla, who is a member of their alliance, will also support him. He added that in addition, more than 20 parties, including Douglas Devananda's party, will join to support Gotabaya Rajapaksa. MP Dayasiri Jayasekara added that last evening, their politburo gathered under the leadership of the President. He added that during the gathering the President took a decision to hand over the activities of the party to Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa up until the 18th of next month and the President, in particular, has decided to remain independent at this election. MP further added that on one hand he is the country's President, and on the other, he is the Minister in charge of the Police and the tri-forces and they must respect this democratic decision taken by the President. Nimal Siripala noted that they would sign an MoU with Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He added that Gotabaya Rajapaksa assures an excellent state administration with a view of safeguarding the rule of law, eradicating drug menace and bribery and corruption while treating all communities as one. MP Dayasiri Jayasekara requested everyone not to get distracted by criticism and the mud slung in the past and focus on the future. Journalist: Disciplinary inquiries are conducted against 5 national list MPs who joined the SLPP. MP responded that it will continue and added that they had an agreement and if anyone is to deviate from it, they would call for disciplinary action in order to safeguard the party. Journalist: Will you take the responsibility of Kumara Welgama as well? MP noted that Welgama is working with them and expected him to join them in their endeavour. Journalist: Will the advisor to the SLFP Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunge support Gotabaya Rajapaksa? MP: We are hoping to hold separate discussions with her. She's currently overseas. We are hoping to discuss this with her when she's back. Journalist: What about the leadership of the party according to the constitution of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Alliance? Will it be a joint leadership? Or will the power be divided among the two parties? MP stated that it would be a joint leadership between Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena and the latter would remain to be the leader of the SLFP. Journalist: What will happen when he retires from his position as the president? MP Jayasekara noted that he will remain in politics for as long as he lives and he has not asked for any position in the alliance or the government. Meanwhile, Kumara Welgama, a member of the SLFP revealed to News 1st that he would not join SLPP even if the leaders of the SLFP abandon it. He further added that he would neither join UNP or SLPP and expects to remain independent and added that rather stand alone as he began his journey alone. Journalist: What if Gotabaya Rajapaksa invites you again? What will be your response? MP responded that he is not a two-headed snake to go back on his word. Journalist: Do you think strategically, that the SLFP made the right decision? MP noted that this was not the right decision and it detrimental for the existence of SLFP. He further added that the president did not take the decision to join the SLPP willingly. "This is a decision taken to dissolve the SLFP" he added. He went on to note that when the SLPP wins, most of their party supporters will join SLPP, with that the SLFP will cease to exist.