SLFP MP declares support for new govt., as MS prepares to meet RW

By Shamindra Ferdinando

SLPP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake (Badulla District), representing the SLFP, has declared his support for newly elected Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Dassanayake last night told The Island that he would back the new government unless the SLFP made a decision immediately.

Dassanayake is a member of the 14-member SLFP parliamentary group. Of them 13, including SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena and Dassanayake, contested the last general election, in August 2020, on the SLPP ticket.

MP Dassanayake said that he was not prepared to delay taking a decision indefinitely on the formation of an all-party-government.

Responding to another query, MP Dassanayake said that a top-level SLFP meeting scheduled for Sunday (15) had been cancelled at the last moment. It would be held on Monday, lawmaker Dassanayake said, urging the top leadership to take a decision soon or face the consequences.

In the wake of MP Dassanayake’s warning, SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena, in a letter sent on Sunday assured Premier Wickremesinghe that his party wouldn’t hinder right decisions taken by the government to revive the troubled economy.

An SLFP delegation led by MP Maithripala Sirisena is expected to meet Premier Wickremesinghe today (16).

Political sources said that senior representatives of the SLPP rebel group comprising 11 political parties and groups, too, were expected to meet Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. Earlier, Wickremesinghe invited them for urgent talks to explore ways and means of reaching consensus on issues at hand.