SLFP defectors stripped of posts and party membership

Sri Lanka’s ruling party today said all Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MPs who defected from the government with the Common Opposition Candidate Maithripala Sirisena have been stripped of their ministerial portfolios and party membership with immediate effect.

Therefore Maithripala Sirisena will not continue as the SLFP General Secretary or any other posts, the President’s Media Unit said.

Maithripala Sirisena, at a news conference earlier today, announced his intention to contest the forthcoming Presidential Election in January next year as the Common Opposition Candidate.  

The press briefing was also attended by former President Chandrika Bandranaike Kumaratunga, Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne, Education Services Minister Duminda Dissanayake, Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M.K.D.S. Gunawardana, MPs Wasantha Senanayake, Arjuna Ranatunga and Rajiva Wijesingha.