Organization for protection of SLFP to field its own candidate | Page 2 | Sunday Observer

Organization for protection of SLFP to field its own candidate

22 September, 2019

The organization for the protection of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has decided to field a candidate at the upcoming Presidential election if the SLFP fails to put forward its own candidate.

A frontliner of the organization, SLFP stalwart and former mayor of Kaduwela Municipal Council, G.H. Buddhadasa told the Sunday Observer the group has considered a few names including that of parliamentarian Kumara Welgama to be put forward as their candidate. “We will take this step if the SLFP decides to support the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)” he said. The group has always vehemently opposed a possible coalition between the two parties.

“If President Maithripala Sirisena does not nominate a candidate from the SLFP, we have decided to put forward a candidate of our own,” he said adding that the candidate will contest independently. However, the candidate will be an individual who the SLFP members support, he added.

 While the SLFP and the SLPP commenced discussions on forming a coalition in March, discussions have now reached an impasse over the party symbol of the coalition, if formed. Meanwhile, several SLFP stalwarts also have expressed their concerns about the SLPP overshadowing the SLFP to its detriment.

“If the SLPP comes into power it would be the end of the SLFP. Therefore, our determination is to defeat the SLPP. This is the only way we can bring our party back into power,” Buddhadasa said.

The group has informed President Maithripala Sirisena in writing about their decision to field a candidate. “He has not responded yet but we will wait until he makes a decision,” Buddhadasa said.

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