Yesterday, on May 5, MP Dayasiri Jayasekara declared that he would soon launch a disciplinary investigation against Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, alleging that the latter was weakening the party. After taking up her position as the SLFP’s general secretary, Jayasekera made this statement in front of the party’s headquarters on Darley Road in Colombo 10.
The Colombo District Court issued an interim order earlier this week, overturning the SLFP’s decision to remove Jayasekara from his position as General Secretary and to revoke his party membership.
Along with a few other election organisers, Jayasekara arrived at the party headquarters on Friday morning and asked the police to open the office. The struggle for control of the party between two factions had resulted in the lockdown of the SLFP Headquarters. The police argued that Jayasekara could not be let inside the structure.
“Dayasiri threatens Nimal Siripala with disciplinary action.”
The MP then went outside to resume his duties. In accordance with a court order, I came to take up my duties. I had copied senior officers and the IGP on the court order. On Friday, the police insisted that I ask Nimal Siripala de Silva for permission. He is not a rightful holder of an office. “I am the rightful General Secretary,” he declared to the assembly.
The Ranil Wickremesinghe government, according to Jayasekara, will only last three more months. According to him, a number of SLFP members with government positions are attempting to dismantle the party in order to gain financial gain.
“I refuse to let these damage the party. I’ll be back soon to begin de Silva’s disciplinary investigation. In addition, I will file complaints against the police officers who denied me entry to the party headquarters with the Human Rights Commission. He declared, “Their behaviour amounts to contempt of court.”
