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Saturday, 6 August 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
State Minister of Finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday vowed to maintain strict discipline within the party and take stern action against members who publicly criticise the party or its leadership.
Addressing a media briefing, State Minister of Finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena today said committed members of the party do not ridicule the party or its leadership publicly and if anyone refuses to accept a leader appointed by the decision of the party’s Central Committee, the party must take disciplinary action against them.
The State Minister pointed out that the chairmanship of the SLFP was handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena with unanimous agreement of the party.
Action was taken at the Central Committee meeting held Thursday to suspend the party membership of Puttalam District MP Sanath Nishantha for publicly insulting the party leader, the State Minister said, adding that relevant disciplinary matters will follow correct protocol to avoid any issues later.
He further said a disciplinary inquiry is not necessary to suspend an SLFP member who is not an MP or councilor but such an inquiry against an MP should be carried out very methodically so that it will not be rejected by the courts when challenged.
State Minister Abeywardena stated that the General Secretary of the SLFP was given authority by the Central Committee yesterday to take disciplinary action against offending members and he can now proceed to implement disciplinary laws in a manner accepted by courts.
Stressing that a political party must maintain discipline, Abeywardena said that in the future discipline will be maintained in a streamlined manner so that it cannot be challenged before a court.
Referring to the conduct of some SLFP members at the Joint Opposition’s protest march on Monday, the State Minister said all parties condemn the unruly behavior of those supporting the Joint Opposition.
“Everyone condemns the unruly behavior of those who shouted opposite the party headquarters,” he said.
When asked why action was not taken against them, Abeywardena said it is easier to break a party than to create and that is why the President has invited the rebels to join the meeting.
Speaking of preparations for the local government elections, the State Minister said the SLFP will form alliances with other political parties. He added that SLFP has formed alliances with about 12 political parties and is currently in discussions with other parties about forming alliances in the future.
The Minister also revealed that the SLFP will hold its 65th anniversary celebration in Kurunegala on 4 September.
Following a complaint received by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), it will take legal action against the Joint Opposition for using an eight-year-old child to shout slogans in Jana Satana Pada Yathrawa on 1 August.
Women and Child Affairs Minister Chandrani Bandara said on same day NCPA has received a complaint via its hotline number ‘1929’ that a child had been used for the march. In addition the Child Rights’ Protection Foundation had also complained to the NCPA regarding the same incident.
She added using a child for such purpose will subject the child to mental and physical abuse. Bandara also charged those who embraced and hugged children failed to adopt laws to protect children and added that the Government hoped to prepare a Child Protection Policy. Meanwhile, sources said the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee which gathered on Thursday had also considered the incident and decided to take strict disciplinary action against SLFP MPs who had violated the procedures of the party.
