SLFP mulls LG nominations for MR backers

Friday, 24 June 2016 00:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Chamodi Gunawardana

Under a directive from President Maithripala Sirisena, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) Central Committee has agreed to allow supporters of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa including members of the Joint Oppositionto contest for the upcoming Local Government election.

Addressing the SLFP weekly media briefing Irrigation and Water Management Minister VijithVijayamuniSoysa affirmed supporting the Joint Opposition would not disqualify the application of any SLFP candidate.

“A Joint Opposition member winning would be a boost for the SLFP.In the end all votes will count as part of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) haul. Therefore we will not reject any applicationfrom the group,” he said.

The Central Committee has also decided to issue nominations for allexisting Local Government members.

“We will conduct interviews for current members, but they will definitely obtain nominations,” he confirmed.

Responding to questions over whether the SLFP Central Committee would allow nominations for politicians will allegations of corruption, Soysa opined that a separate discussion would be held regarding them.

“We are waiting to attract new blood to strength the grassroot level voting base of the party. We will filter the best candidates from each province via a special committee. Interviews will commence from the middle of July,” he stated.

Criticising former Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s statement regarding the preparation to form a new political front, Soysa claimed Rajapaksa would not be able to make his plans successful.

“He was the main reason that drove the party towards defeat at the last two elections. I believe such a person cannot build a strong party,” he alleged.Soysa also said SLFP hopes to have more female candidates this time.