• Says giants of SLFP and UNP key figure will participate at first convention
• Wants SLFP to support SLPP Presidential candidate
• SLPP ready for provincial polls ahead of Presidential Election  
  
   

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday extended an open invitation to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to participate in its maiden national convention on 11 August and back their presidential candidate to be announced at the event.

MP Lakshman  Yapa Abeywardena

Speaking to media at the SLPP head office, Parliamentarian Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said several key SLFP members and one United National Party (UNP) member will participate at the convention to show their support for the SLPP presidential candidate.

“Several SLFP giants have agreed along with a key UNP figure will participate for the SLPP convention, which is a good sign that will show we have majority support. Most of the grass root SLFP members are supporting us because most of the SLPP policies are similar to the SLFP’s policies,” Abeywardena said.

He noted the anti-UNP policies of the SLPP had attracted many supporters and that will strengthen the party’s progress. Abeywardena pointed out if the SLFP wishes to support this anti-UNP camp, they should support the SLPP movement and its presidential candidate.

“The SLPP presidential candidate will be able to re-establish national security and give the momentum to drive the economy to recover from the Easter Sunday attacks.”

He claimed the county needs a Presidential Election to end the tussle between the Executive and the Legislature, which had negatively affected the economy. According to Abeywardena, the SLPP can win any election as the public is not happy with the Government’s policies.

“People are looking forward to an election to show their displeasure to the Government, therefore we have the confidence to win any election. However, only a Presidential Election can address current issues.”

Abeywardena said the Provincial Council Election (PC) was one of the main issues they raised in the Parliament but the Government had not shown interest in holding PC polls. He charged the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had not shown any interest in holding PC polls and protect the democratic rights of the people in the north.

“The very intention of introducing the 13th Amendment was to ensure political rights of people in the North, but due to the tussle between former Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran and the TNA, the TNA does not talk about PC polls,” he charged. 

No members can attend SLPP convention without prior approval: SLFP