“SLFP led...

However, he said in the event that none of the parties in the fray secured an absolute majority, the UPFA and the UNP were likely to join together to form an administration wherever necessary and pointed out that he was glad to hear that the UNP too was of the same mindset.

“The yahapalana government has brought many good things and values to the country since assuming office in 2015 such as restoring of the rule of law and establishing democracy, judicial and media freedom, independent commissions and most importantly re-establishing Sri Lanka’s dignity and respect in the global community. No one talks about the electric chair and international war crimes tribunals any more,” the minister said.

He told a media conference that the SLFP had removed all wrongdoers from the party and the SLFP had gone from strength to strength under President Maithripala Sirsena and as such he has no doubt about the party’s victory at the polls next year and at the national elections in 2020.

Justifying the recent expulsion of certain former SLFP organizers who have betrayed the party, the minister said the President as the party leader and the Central Committee had given them enough time and opportunities to refrain from violating the party constitution. “What do you expect from the party leadership after you betray the party, work against it, form a new party, get the membership of a rival political party and continue to insult and sling mud at the party leadership,” the minister asked.

He said genuine SLFPERS kept asking the party leadership why action was not taken against those

Justifying the recent expulsion of certain former SLFP organizers who have betrayed the party, the President as the party leader and the CC had given them enough time to refrain from violating the party constitution

who betrayed the party.

“The party leader is not one who takes revenge. But he has a responsibility to maintain party discipline whether he likes it or not,” the minister said.

The minister told a journalist that the UPFA would not nominate anyone who worked against the party but anyone who wishes could rejoin the party.

Responding to another journalist why the SLFP appointed the convicted PC member as Anamaduwa SLFP organizer, the minister said Ananda Sarathkumara was the most popular SLFP politician in Puttalam and was not tainted with allegations of corruption, fraud or thuggery.