Darley Road rumpus over election of women’s wing office-bearers

SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena, MP, was compelled to put off election of office-bearers of the party women’s organisation, indefinitely, on Saturday (24), due to opposition from a section of those present at the Darley Road party headquarters, sources said.

According to sources, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna pointed out that the election couldn’t be held due to the absence of about 150 members who had been invited.

Sources said that former President Sirisena had reacted angrily to the position taken by SLFPers Amaraweera and Alagiyawanna, and said that the ministers couldn’t do what President Ranil Wickremesinghe wanted them to do here.

Sources pointed out that Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Matara, Mathale, Monaragala and Kurunegala SLFP women organizations boycotted the election. Sources said that as stipulated the party hadn’t established Kantha Bala Mandala, hence the unprecedented drop in the participation at the scheduled election. (SF)