SLFP Acting Gen. Sec. says won’t support govt. bent on selling national assets

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) would not support an administration bent on selling national assets, Kegalle District MP Dushmantha Mithrapala, Acting General Secretary of the SLFP said, addressing an event to mark the 108th birth anniversary of Sirimavo Bandaranaike at the BMICH on Wednesday.

The ceremony was attended by both factions of the SLFP vying for the control of the party. Mithrapala represents the Maithripala Sirisena faction.

“Sirimavo Bandaranaike never betrayed the party for positions and privileges. During her tenure as prime minister, she strengthened the State. SLFP can’t tolerate the sale of state assets for a penny. When people elect a future President, they will take into consideration who has spoken against corruption and the sale of state assets. Sri Lankans will not vote for those who betrayed their trust,” he said.

Former president Maithripala Sirisena said that the SLFP was in crisis. However, that was nothing compared to the crisis which emerged after Sirimavo Bandaranaike was stripped of her civic rights, he said.

“Her children formed other parties. They abandoned her. We stood by her then. I want to ask SLFPers whether they can join other parties whose views are diametrically opposed to those of Sirimavo Bandaranaike?” he said.