SLFP inks MoU with GR

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa are all smiles at the MoU signing ceremony – Pic by Ishan Sanjeewa  

• GR pledges to protect SLFP’s identity and core values
• Requests SLFP members to back his campaign
• SLFP says MoU will not damage party’s identity

By Nuwan Senarathna 

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Saturday with Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa to pledge support to his election campaign.

The MoU was signed at the Western Province Aesthetics Resort (NADA) at an auspicious time in front of a packed crowd of SLFP and SLPP supporters. On behalf of SLFP, General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara signed the MoU along with Gotabaya Rajapaksa. SLFP acting Chairman Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa and senior SLFP members were also present at the event. This is the second MoU signed by the SLFP to pledge support to Rajapaksa. Earlier this month the SLFP signed a MoU with SLPP agreeing to back Rajapaksa’s presidential campaign. 

Speaking at the event, Rajapaksa assured that he would protect SLFP’s identity and core values. He pledged that he would keep his promises to work according to the policies of the SLPP and develop the country for the future generation. “I request SLFP supporters to place your trust in me. I promise to keep my promises and protect the SLFP. We agreed on policies that are best for the country. These policies will assure that the country will be safe and development goals can be achieved,” Rajapaksa said.

According to Rajapaksa, the country had always governed under progressive policies that were for the country’s benefit. He said the core values of SLFP will be continued. In his view, SLFP’s policies are aligned with his policies, which will help him to attain his goals more conveniently.

Speaking at the same event, Jayasekara said the MoU signed with Rajapaksa would assure the SLFP’s identity and core values would be protected. He noted the SLFP had made the right choice to back the most appropriate presidential candidate. 

“The signing of the MoU does not mean that we have joined the SLPP. This shows that we are ready to work together. The SLFP will never abandon or betray its supporters under any circumstances. The party will be stronger than ever and will be able to lead the country to prosperity,” Jayasekara said. Jayasekara argued Rajapaksa was capable of introducing a new political culture that will fast-track development projects and address economic challenges. He noted the public had started to reject conventional politicians and are calling for new faces to lead the country.  

“Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not a conventional politician. His candidacy was suggested by the public and professionals. He is not a career politician but he has already proven what he is capable of. He led a number of development projects that has proven he has the vision to develop the country,” he said.