The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) crisis deepens as several more court orders have been issued against its party members, preventing them from functioning in key positions.
The Colombo District Court today issued restraining orders against SLFP members Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Dushmantha Mithrapala.
The orders prevent Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from functioning as the SLFP’s Acting Chairman and Dushmantha Mithrapala as the General Secretary of the party.
Colombo District Judge Sandun Withana issued these orders after considering a plaint submitted by Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna and MP Duminda Dissanayake.
The Colombo District Court ruled that the restraining orders are effective until May 08, 2024.
Earlier today, the court also issued a permanent injunction order against former President Maithripala Sirisena preventing him from holding the chairmanship of the SLFP until the conclusion of the trial.
The court order was issued over a case filed by former SLFP executive committee member Montague Sarathchandra.
The court orders come in the backdrop of the recent division within the SLFP with the faction led by Maithripala Sirisena clashing with other members, including Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.
Rumours of a division within the party were confirmed when the SLFP’s executive Committee appointed Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva as its Acting Chairman under the guidance of Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
Soon after, the SLFP faction led by Maithripala Sirisena elected Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as its Acting Chairman, claiming that the previous appointment was illegal, and further deepening the crisis.
Several SLFP members have also crossed over to the Opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegay (SJB), since the beginning of this year. (Newswire)