SLFP CC TO DECIDE ON DISCIPLINARY ACTION

The SLFP Central Committee which will be convened in a day or two will decide on those who participated in the joint opposition protest

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee will be convened this week to decide on disciplinary action against those party members who participated in the ‘Paada Yathra’ the joint opposition protest march and the rally, a government Minister said yesterday.

Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekera told a media briefing held at the Government Information Department that action will be taken against the SLFPERS who participated in the Paada Yathra. “SLFP central committee which will be convened in a day or two will decide on those who participated in the joint opposition protest,” he said. Asked whether action would be taken against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Minister said action will be taken against all who participated in it.

At the same time Mr. Jayasekera said ‘Paada Yathra’ is being held prematurely. “Such a protest march is usually held as a last resort to topple a government and therefore it would have been acceptable if the protest was held sometime in 2020 when the next national elections are held,” he said.

He also said the reasons to hold the protest march and the rally is far from being clear. He said the main reason for the protest march is to save the country from a constitutional trap. But he said some who are engaged in compiling the constitution and are members of the six sub committees of the Constitutional Assembly are participating in the march. The Minister actually named a few in the subcommittees. These included Bandula Gunawardene,vasudeva Nanayakkara, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Udaya Gammanpila, Piyal Nishana and Vidura Wickramanayake. “How can these persons provoke people about the Constitution when they themselves are engaged in compiling it?,” he questioned.

State Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Palitha Range Bandara who also participated in the briefing said President Sirisena would take some important decisions after the joint opposition protest march ends today. Further he said Paada Yathra had proven that anyone can hold a protest without fear under the present administration. He recalled that Roshen Chanaka was killed at a protest in Katunayake while Anthony Fernando was killed in Chillaw during the last regime which cracked down on protests.

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) National Organiser who came out with his view on the opposition protest said the protesters have broken three Buddhist precepts by consuming alcohol, lying and abusing state property. “It is clear that the protest is a political exercise with the slogan ‘ We want a Rajapaksa government’” he added

Such a protest march is usually held as a last resort to topple a government and therefore it would have been acceptable if the protest was held sometime in 2020 when the next national elections are held