• Says SLFP Parliamentarians were given membership with good intentions
• Criticises disciplinary action as being arbitrary and unfair
• Coalition talks to continue undisrupted
  
   

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday defended giving membership to Parliamentarians Dilan Perera and S.B Dissanayake, insisting it was done with good intentions and would not derail ongoing coalition talks.   

Responding to a statement made by the SLFP criticising the SLPP on recruiting its two MPs, Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris told Daily FT they would continue talks with the SLPP.

He also said the SLPP would not do anything that would be disadvantageous for talks with the SLFP, adding that his party was fully committed to continuing talks with the SLFP.  “This is only an excuse from some members of the SLFP to move away from talks and help the United National Party (UNP). The majority of SLFP members have been participating in SLPP rallies and all political work throughout the county. Therefore the SLFP’s decision to take disciplinary action against Dilan Perera and S.B. Dissanayake cannot be taken as a valid argument,” he said.

Prof. Peiris questioned why the SLFP had only decided to start disciplinary action against selected members at this late date, pointing out that if action were to be taken, it should start with the SLFP members who were absent during the vote on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament. He argued the SLFP being absent during the vote had violated the collective decision of the SLFP which he said was a violation of the party’s disciplinary code.

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