CBK: ‘I am SLFP Chairperson’

Former President Kumaratunga and her sister Sunethra arriving at the statue of their late father and SLFP founder, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, yesterday

 ‘Sirisena holding the post unlawfully’

By Sujeewa Thathsara

Former President Maithripala Sirisena is holding on to the post of SLFP Chairman unlawfully, party’s Mentor, former president Chandrika Bandaranaike yesterday said after offering flowers to the statue of the SLFP founder and her late father, S. W. R. D Bandaranaike, before the official event to mark his 122 birth anniversary.

Kumaratunga said that she was still the SLFP Chairman and that due to the actions of Sirisena the SLFP had gone astray. She said that she had not left the SLFP and that she was aware Sirisena had instructed party officials not to invite her to any of the events organized by the SLFP.

“Sirisena has sold the SLFP to the SLPP. I will never leave the SLFP. I know some people are counting the days until I do. But they are mistaken.”

The former President said that a year back, she had told Sirisena that the SLFP should be strengthened.’She said: “Instead of working to strengthen the party, Sirisena is trying to sideline me. I wasn’t even invited to this event. But I came anyway because I care.”

A journalis: “Have you joined the UNP”?

Kumaratunga: “I haven’t. It is Sirisena went to the UNP headquarters five times. He went there and said he wanted to address Ranil Wickremesinghe as ‘Sir.’ I have never gone to the UNP HQ.”

Former President Sirisena also spoke to the media after offering flowers to the S.W.R.D Bandaranaike statue.

There was an argument between two groups of the SLFP after a Colombo District SLFP MP and his supporters removed the two bouquets of flowers laid by Chandrika and her sister Sunethra. Another group said it was not ethical to remove the flowers placed by the daughters of S.W.R.D Bandaranaike. Later, the two garlands were allowed to remain there, and Sirisena and the SLFP stalwarts paid a floral tribute to the statue.

A Journalist: “Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike arrived before the commencement of the official event and offered flowers. Why is that? Wasn’t she invited?”

Sirisena: “She has come before the event. I am thankful that she came.”

A Journalist: “She said you are holding to the post of SLFP Chairman unlawfully and that she would not accept your leadership?”

Sirisena: “She said? But there is no dispute among us. We all work together.”