Dispute Over SLFP Leadership Sparks Concern, Prompts Call for Legal Resolution
April 28, Colombo (LNW): The venerable Malwatte Mahanayaka, Most Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera, has expressed concern over the current turmoil within the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), citing conflicting claims from three different factions vying for control. The Mahanayaka Thera emphasized that this confusion poses a significant challenge for the public in identifying the legitimate representatives of the party.
During a visit by Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe and a delegation from the SLFP to the Malwatte Maha Vihara on April 26th, the Mahanayaka Thera asserted that resolving the question of rightful ownership of the party must be pursued through legal channels, suggesting recourse to the courts.
Highlighting the presence of a party constitution, the Thera expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to deliver a fair and just decision in due course.
Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe, addressing the gathering, disclosed that he had been unanimously elected as the acting chairman by 116 members of the SLFP’s executive council. However, he acknowledged a minority dissent within the council, with fewer than 10 members opposing his appointment.
The remarks from the Mahanayaka Thera underscore the gravity of the situation within the SLFP and advocate for a legal resolution to clarify the rightful leadership, offering a path towards stability and legitimacy for the party.
