Group of SLFPers call for Chandrika's return

A group of senior members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) have invited former President and incumbent patron of the SLFP Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to take the lead in rebuilding the party.

Many senior members of the SLFP had congratulated the former President on her 76th birthday which falls today (29) on social media platforms.

Most of those who had wished her were of the opinion that the leadership of the SLFP should be taken over by Kumaratunga.

Some members of the SLFP's main decision making body, the Central Committee, were also among those who had wished Kumaratunga.

Former Ministers Kumara Welgama, Athauda Seneviratne, Milroy Fernando, Dayashritha Tissera, Jeewan Kumaranatunga, Chandima Weerakkody, Vijith Vijithamuni Zoysa, Thilanga Sumathipala, former Chief Ministers Sarath Ekanayake and Peshala Jayaratne as well as several other electoral organisers had added their greetings to President Kumaratunga on social media platforms.

It is an open secret that most of the aforesaid party members did not have much relations with Kumaratunga in the last few years.

However in recent times, there has been a great deal of opposition to the current SLFP leadership and a cold war has erupted between the leaders within the party as well.

Meanwhile, the incumbent SLFP Chairman and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian, former President Maithripala Sirisena recently issued a statement stating that he would not take up any ministerial post under the current SLPP- led government.

However, internal sources claim that this is an attack on the current General Secretary of the party, State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara.

Sirisena's statement is seen by some as a blow to Jayasekera in a context where the latter is said to be exerting great influence within the party with the aim of further supporting the current government.

Due to this internal crisis, party members and senior members of the party seem to be looking forward to the return of President Kumaratunga and it is doubtful whether it is hidden in the birthday greetings added for her birthday.