President Maithripala Sirisena told lawmakers from his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) that they are free to join any agitation to highlight people’s issues, but urged them not to split the party.
In a meeting with a delegation of party MPs, reportedly owing allegiance to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President asked them to keep the unity of the party uppermost in mind, Dilan Perera, SLFP spokesperson, told The Hindu.
The meeting assumes relevance in the wake of a plan by the Joint Opposition, a coalition of political groups and parties supporting Mr Rajapaksa, to take out a five-day march from Kandy to Colombo, commencing on Thursday.
Mr. Perera, who is also the State Minister in charge of Highways, said no attempt to split the SLFP would succeed. Besides, “we will see to it that that the party does not fall into the hands of racist, communal elements”.
Dinesh Gunawardena, a prominent figure in the Joint Opposition, said the march had been planned to protest against the fresh levy of taxes on people, “threat to unitary Constitution, political victimisation and the move to establish a special court” against members of the security forces. He said Mr. Rajapaksa would take part in the inauguration of the march.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, a constituent of the Joint Opposition, has decided not to join the march. “While we are in favour of the JO's demand on economic issues, we feel the position regarding new Constitution will send out a wrong message, especially to people in the North,” D.E.W. Gunasekara, CPSL general secretary, said.
