SLFP 16 group join Ekabadda Podu Jana Peramuna

• Broad alliance to be headed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa
• Says confident new party could be led to defeat Govt. at next election
• Rejects speculations of any member re-joining Govt.
• To join protest on 17 August, criticises privatisation of national assets   

The breakaway group of 16 lawmakers of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party has decided to join hands with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is expected to form a new political party, the Ekabadda Podu Jana Peramuna. 

Some members of the group of 16, holding a media conference yesterday at the Parliament complex, showed solidarity and expressed trust in MP Rajapaksa to lead the country again and to work towards defeating the Unity Government during the next election.

According to MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana, the present Government is keen on privatising national assets, which is against the vision of the breakaway group of 16 lawmakers and those who rally around MP Rajapaksa.

“We have decided to join the Ekabadda Podu Jana Peramuna, which is to be formed under the leadership of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This Government is out to sell all public assets and therefore, we are happy to be out of it. Expressing our concern, a protest will be staged on 17 August,” said MP Abeywardana.

Rejecting the rumours of certain MPs of the group of 16 rejoining the Government having had secret discussions, he said: “None of us will rejoin the Government. We have come out of the Government with a firm decision and there are no divisions among us.”

Even though MPs Susil Premajayantha, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, W. D. J. Seneviratne, Chandima Weerakkody and Lohan Ratwatte participated in the briefing, MP Dayasiri Jayasekera was a notable absentee. (AH)