SLFP sends disciplinary letters to five MPs

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has served letters on disciplinary action to five National List MPs who had left the party, SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said yesterday.

Speaking at the SLFP head office, Jayasekara said parliamentarians were given seven days to show cause as to why disciplinary action not be taken against them.

Accordingly, Parliamentarians Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, S.B. Dissanayake, Dilan Perera and A.H.M. Fowzie have been served disciplinary action letters. The latter left the SLFP to join the United National Party (UNP) while the others joined the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) headed by Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“If they fail to explain within the given time, the party will take action as per the party constitution,” Jayasekara said.

Jayasekara noted if MPs required more time the party would consider that. However, he said the procedure would be concluded within a month.

During the SLFP central committee (CC) meeting, the CC had decided to take disciplinary action against National List MPs who have decided to support another political party.

Jayasekara on Monday faulted the SLPP for recruiting its members, saying it created unwarranted tension between the two parties which were currently engaged in coalition talks ahead of the upcoming Presidential Elections.

He also said poaching SLFP members by the SLPP could be seen as an attempt to sabotage ongoing talks between two parties, which are currently at a positive stage. However, he noted the SLFP would continue talks with SLPP.