The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has announced that it will take strict disciplinary action against party members who supported the National People’s Power (NPP) during the recent budget approvals in local government bodies.

Issuing an official statement, the SLFP confirmed that it has already temporarily suspended the party membership of those who voted in favour of the NPP.

The SLFP further stated that it has begun seeking explanations from the concerned members and will proceed with further disciplinary measures based on their responses. (Newswire)

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The joint opposition, consisting of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), United National Party (UNP), Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), has entered into a common consensus to secure control of certain Local Councils. 

Addressing the media today, the joint opposition announced the decision and also outlined plans for the local councils it has formed through the collaboration. 

The joint press conference was held in Colombo today and was attended by SJB’s Tissa Attanayake, UNP’s Thalatha Atukorale, SLFP’s Lasantha Alagiyawanna, and SLPP’s Sagara Kariyawasam.

Addressing the media, SLFP’s Lasantha Alagiyawanna said their collaboration will not end with just securing control of the local councils, but will continue to work towards improving the livelihoods of the people of the constituencies. 

He further said that a committee will be immediately appointed to find out the necessary details regarding the activities of the said local councils and implement the necessary actions on a district level. (Newswire)

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A group of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Organizers have requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s National People’s Power (NPP) to enable them to assist in taking forward the government’s policies.

Addressing the media, SLFP Kesbewa Organizer, Attorney-at-Law Keerthi Udawatte said the group, which had previously supported Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa, has decided to join hands with the NPP for the upcoming Parliamentary Election.

“We now realise that the decision taken previously was wrong. We are now requesting to help the NPP, as we have the leadership at the local government level and are capable of helping implement a system to take forward their policies,” he said. 

SLFP Kaduwela Organizer Hector Bethmage said nearly 40 SLFP organizers have insisted that they join hands with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

Responding to questions from the media, the group openly acknowledged their mistake in supporting the SJB in the Presidential Election. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa has extended his gratitude to Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members for their dedication towards his election campaign in the recent Presidential Election.

The SJB Presidential candidate expressed his gratitude during a meeting at the SLFP operations office held yesterday, attended by the SLFP’s district organizers, electoral organizers, and political activists.

During the meeting, Sajith Premadasa engaged in long discussions with the SLFP side, with both sides exchanging various views.

SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera and Deputy Chairman Thilanga Sumathipala also expressed their views at the meeting. 

The proposals made by various SLFP District and Electoral Organizers had also been presented to Sajith Premadasa during this meeting. 

Responding positively to the suggestions, Sajith Premadasa highlighted the importance of joining hands to win the upcoming General Election. (Newswire)

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Two Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members have pledged their support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the 2024 Presidential Election. 

Former Acting General Secretary of the SLFP Sarathi Dushmantha Mithrapala and Senior Vice Chairman of the SLFP Angajan Ramanathan have extended their support to the President. 

Taking to ‘X’, former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said the two SLFP members officially announced their support for the President, after meeting the latter for a discussion. (Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena says that he will not support any candidate contesting the 2024 Presidential Election. 

Issuing a statement, the former President said certain claims being made by the media, government and opposition politicians at present were false. 

He further said that the issue surrounding the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is being deliberated in court and an order is yet to be issued on the leadership of the party.

Stating that as per the SLFP’s Constitution, the party leader is vested with powers to make decisions, thereby making decisions and appointments by other party representatives invalid. 

His comments come after recent claims on media and social media that former President Maithripala Sirisena has extended his support for Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa in the upcoming Presidential Election. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) with several other parties has formed a new alliance, the “Peoples Alliance” (Podujana Eksath Peramuna). 

According to the SLFP, MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa has been appointed the leader of the new alliance.

The new political alliance was launched during a ceremony held today which was attended by the SLFP faction led by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, several religious leaders, and the public. 

The SLFP has launched the “People’s Alliance” in anticipation of the 2024 Presidential Election. (Newswire)

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The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) formally announced its alliance with the Freedom Peoples Congress and a faction of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) at an event held in Colombo today. 

An agreement was signed by Opposition and SJB Leader MP Sajith Premadasa and MP Dayasiri Jayasekera of the SLFP to formally announce the new alliance.

SLFP MPs Thilanga Sumathipala, Rohana Luxman Piyadasa, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara and several members of the SJB, SLFP and Freedom Peoples Congress participated in the event. (Newswire)

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The Colombo District Court has refused to issue an interim order preventing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Executive Committee from convening today. 

The meeting was reportedly scheduled for today under the patronage of the Acting Chairman of the SLFP, Nimal Siripala de Silva. 

The court order was issued after taking up for consideration a petition submitted by SLFP electoral organizer Hector Bethmage against the scheduled SLFP Executive Committee meeting. 

Only issuing notices to the defendants in the petition, the court further decided to fix the case for hearing again on July 03. 

Meanwhile, the SLFP Executive Committee which met today unanimously elected Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva as the Chairman of the party. 

MP Duminda Dissanayake was also unanimously elected as the General Secretary of the SLFP. 

Since April this year, the SLFP has faced a crisis after the faction led by former president and chairman Maithripala Sirisena clashed with the other faction led by former SLFP leader and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

A court order was issued preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP Leader, leading to the clash between the factions. 

Since then, SLFP members Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Nimal Siripala de Silva have been appointed by the respective factions to lead the party.

However, court cases have also been filed against one another preventing them from functioning in their elected roles. (Newswire)

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The Court of Appeal has issued a notice against the former President and former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Maithripala Sirisena over contempt of court allegations. 

The notice was issued following a contempt of court petition filed against him by Montague Sarathchandra, an executive committee member of the SLFP.

In his petition, Montague Sarathchandra claims that the former President committed contempt of court through his actions in violation of a court order issued by the Colombo District Court preventing him from acting as the Chairman of the SLFP.

Taking up for consideration the petition today (May 30), the Court of Appeal ordered the petitioning party to send notice to Maithripala Sirisena. 

The order was issued by the two-member judge bench comprising of the President of the Court of Appeal Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice Shashi Mahendran in order to confirm the facts related to the petition. (Newswire)

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Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has no legal barriers to function as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), according to a communique issued by his team.

Earlier today, an enjoining order that was issued against Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, preventing him from functioning as the SLFP Acting Chairman, was extended by the Colombo District Court.

The Rajapakshe faction asserts that the case is now void as former President Maithripala Sirisena resigned as the Chairman of the Party, with Wijedasa Rajapakshe being unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Party.

The Rajapakshe faction clarified that the case was filed against Rajapakshe functioning as the SLFP Acting Chairman, but was now void as he currently serves as the Chairman of the SLFP.

The Colombo District Court today extended until June 27 the enjoining order against Rajapakshe after the petition filed by SLFP member MP Duminda Dissanayake was taken up for consideration.

The SLFP has faced a crisis after the faction led by former president and chairman Maithripala Sirisena clashed with the other faction led by former SLFP leader and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The party saw the appointment of Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Nimal Siripala de Silva as Acting Chairmen by their respective factions, following a court order that prevented former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP Leader.

Several court orders were issued, thereafter, preventing the newly appointed Chairman Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from functioning as the SLFP Acting Chairman.

However, following the resignation of Maithripala Sirisena from the post of SLFP Chairman, the Executive Committee unanimously voted to appoint Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the new Chairman of the party, in which role capacity he currently functions. (Newswire)

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An enjoining order was issued against the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Justice Minister Dr Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and acting General Secretary Keerthi Udawatte, preventing them from functioning in their positions in the party.

Colombo District Court Judge Sandhun Vithana issued the enjoining order against Rajapakshe and Udawatte today after taking up for consideration a petition filed by MP Duminda Dissanayake against the two SLFP members.

The move comes after the court had previously (May 16) dismissed the petition filed by Duminda Dissanayake, who was appointed Acting General Secretary of the SLFP.

Dissanayake had sought a court order preventing any obstruction being made towards him, and the Acting Chairman of the SLFP, Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva from engaging in party activities.

However, last week, an enjoining order was also issued by the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court preventing all factions from disrupting the newly elected Chairman Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Acting General Secretary Keerthi Udawatte, and the politburo of the SLFP from functioning in their respective roles.

The SLFP has faced a crisis after the faction led by former president and chairman Maithripala Sirisena clashed with the other faction led by former SLFP leader and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The party saw the appointment of Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Nimal Siripala de Silva as Acting Chairmen by their respective factions, following a court order that prevented former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP Leader.

Several court orders were issued, thereafter, preventing the newly appointed Chairman Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from functioning as the SLFP Acting Chairman.

However, following the resignation of Maithripala Sirisena from the post of SLFP Chairman, the Executive Committee unanimously voted to appoint Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the new Chairman and Attorney-at-Law Keerthi Udawatte as Acting General Secretary of the party. (Newswire)

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An enjoining order has been issued preventing all factions from disrupting the newly elected Chairman and Politburo of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) from functioning in their respective roles.

The Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court today issued the enjoining order regarding the operations of the newly elected SLFP Chairman, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Acting General Secretary Keerthi Udawatte, and the politburo of the SLFP.

The court issued the order today after taking up for consideration the petition that was filed by SLFP Politburo members Isuru Abeywardena and Sumith Wijeyamuna, naming 20 other Politburo members as respondents. 

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party faced a crisis after the faction led by former president and SLF chairman Maithripala Sirisena clashed with the other faction led by former SLFP leader and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

The party saw the appointment of Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Nimal Siripala de Silva as Acting Chairmen by their respective factions, following a court order that prevented former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP Leader.

Several court orders were issued, thereafter, preventing the newly appointed Chairman Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from functioning as the SLFP Acting Chairman.

However, on Sunday, Maithripala Sirisena resigned from the post of SFP Chairman and the Executive Committee unanimously voted to appoint Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the new Chairman of the SLFP. 

Attorney-at-Law Keerthi Udawatte was appointed Acting General Secretary of the SLFP faction led by Maithripala Sirisena. 

Following the new appointments, the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court has issued an order preventing all factions from disrupting the newly elected Chairman Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Politburo from functioning in their respective roles in the SLFP. (Newswire)

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The Interim Order that was issued preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has been extended until May 29.

The extension was announced by Colombo District Court Judge Sandun Vithana when the petition filed in this regard was taken up for consideration today.

The case was fixed for hearing on May 29 after the judge ordered the respondents to file any objections related to the case.

SLFP chairman Maithripala Sirisena, Senior Vice President Nimal Siripala de Silva, and Vice President Faizer Mustapha are among the respondents named in the case.

In April, the court issued an interim order preventing Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP Leader based on a complaint filed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who served as the SLFP Leader from 1994 to 2005. 

In her petition, Kumaratunga claimed that Sirisena’s appointment as the chairman of the SLFP was against the party’s constitution and that an order be issued to prevent him from serving in that position. (Newswire)

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A petition that was filed seeking an interim order suspending the Colombo District Court’s decision to suspend Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from functioning as the acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has been rejected. 

The petition was rejected when it was taken up for consideration by the Court of Appeal today (May 07).

In April, the Colombo District Court issued a restraining order against SLFP member Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, after he was appointed acting Chairman by the faction led by former President Maithripala Sirisena.

Colombo District Judge Sandun Withana issued the order after considering a plaint submitted by Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna and MP Duminda Dissanayake.

The court order was issued against the backdrop of the recent division within the SLFP between the faction led by Maithripala Sirisena and other members, including Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. (Newswire)

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Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe will be fielded as the Presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), party leader Maithripala Sirisena announced. 

Stating that he had roped in a government Minister to the SLFP, Sirisena said that Rajapakshe has no desire for a ministerial post. 

He assured that Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe will receive the complete support of the SLFP and that a large number of party members approve of the minister. 

Sirisena said that although he has served as President once, he will not contest a Presidential election again. Sirisena said that he made this statement when he was sworn in as President in 2015.

The former President made these remarks while addressing the commemoration ceremony of Trade Union Leader T.B. Ilangaratne on May Day, which was celebrated yesterday. (Newswire)

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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)

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A permanent injunction order has been issued against former President Maithripala Sirisena preventing him from holding the chairmanship of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). 

The Colombo District Court issued the permanent injunction which will be effective until the conclusion of the trial. 

The court order was issued over a case filed by former SLFP executive committee member Montague Sarathchandra.

This is the second court order issued preventing Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP Leader.

Earlier this month (Apr 04), the court issued an interim order preventing Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP Leader. 

The order was issued based on a complaint filed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who served as the SLFP Leader from 1994 to 2005. 

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.

Recently, the SLFP also faced a crisis with its executive Committee appointing Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva as its Acting Chairman under the guidance of Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

However, soon after, the SLFP faction led by Maithripala Sirisena elected Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as its Acting Chairman. 

Several SLFP members have also crossed over to the Opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegay (SJB), from the beginning of this year. (Newswire)

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena has left for Thailand on a visit, it was reported.

A group consisting of nine persons has accompanied the former President on his visit. 

Maithripala Sirisena had reportedly left for Bangkok, Thailand at around 12.55 am today.

The former President’s departure comes at a time when his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is facing a crisis. 

An interim order was recently issued preventing Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP leader, following a complaint by former President and SLFP leader Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

The SLFP politburo met yesterday under Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga during which the former was appointed Acting Chairman of the SLFP. 

Thereafter, a faction of the SLFP led by Maithripala Sirisena claimed that the politburo meeting cannot be convened as the party leader is vested with powers to call for such a meeting, but the SLFP now has no leader due to a court order.

Claiming that the politburo meeting and subsequent appointments were illegal, the SLFP faction said it would initiate legal actions against the decision. (Newswire)

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A faction of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) led by former President Maithripala Sirisena claims that the politburo meeting held today for the appointment of a new Acting Chairman was illegal. 

The SLFP politburo met under the Patronage of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and with the participation of former SLFP Leader and President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. 

At the meeting, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva was appointed as the Acting Chairman of the SLFP. 

However, issuing a statement, the SLFP faction led by Maithripala Sirisena claims that an illegal politburo meeting has been held under the patronage of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Stating that the SLFP President has the power to call for a politburo meeting, the group said as per the enjoining order issued against Maithripala Sirisena, the SLFP currently does not have a president.

The SLFP faction further said that, therefore, any appointment for Acting Chairman must be conducted through a court order. 

The group added that many who had participated in today’s SLFP politburo meeting were not members of the party

The SLFP faction also revealed that legal action would be initiated against the illegal actions taken during today’s meeting. (Newswire)

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