Sirisena slams Govt. for poaching SLFP MPs 

• Claims MPs have accepted posts without approval of the party 
• Calls out Govt. for its duplicity in offering posts to few while discussions for all-party Govt. continue 
• Says actions of a few will not hamper SLFP’s future political journey 

Former President and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Chairman Maithripala Sirisena has slammed members of his party who recently took up State Ministerial positions under the current Government. 

Issuing a statement, Sirisena said the group has done so without the approval of the SLFP. 

Instead, Sirisena said the party’s decision was to only accept any posts in a truly all-party interim Government. “This was unanimously approved at the recently held 71st anniversary celebrations of the party by its all-island executive committee, executive committee and the SLFP anniversary general assembly,” he said. “We express our great regret that MPs of the SLFP have taken ministerial posts for their own personal gain, contrary to that position,” he added. 

Sirisena also expressed his dismay at the Government’s duplicity. “Offering positions to several SLFP MPs while still in discussion with the party to form an all-party interim Government is regrettable,” he said. 

According to Sirisena, this only displays the Government has no real interest in forming an all-party Government despite its claims. He also said the actions of the Government go against the aspirations of the Maha Sangha, other religious leaders, academics, professionals, civil society activists and the people of Sri Lanka. 

However, he also stressed the actions of a few SLFP MPs will in no way hamper the party’s ongoing efforts for the betterment of Sri Lanka and its people.