The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Executive Committee unanimously elected Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday as the party’s Chairman and Duminda Dissanayake as the General Secretary, dealing a serious blow to former President Maithripala Sirisena.
“Nimal Siripala – voted in as SLFP Chairman.”
The Colombo District Court declined to issue an interim injunction prohibiting the SLFP Executive Committee from convening earlier in the day. Hector Bethmage an SLFP electoral organiser requested a court order to stop the SLFP Executive Committee meeting from taking place on behalf of the Sirisena faction.
Since April 8, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Ports, Aviation, and Shipping, has served as the SLFP acting Chairman according to party sources, the Acting appointment was decided upon at the SLFP politburo meeting at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, which was presided over by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.
According to sources, the Sirisena faction’s appointment of Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe PC, as Chairman has been rendered unnecessary with the confirmation of Nimal Siripala de Silva as the Chairman.
