SLFP appoints Nimal Siripala de Silva as Acting Chairman amidst internal crisis

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has taken a significant step amidst its internal crisis by appointing Minister of Ports, Aviation, and Shipping Nimal Siripala de Silva as the party’s Acting Chairman. This decision was made during the SLFP politburo meeting, presided over by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

The meeting aimed to chart the future course of action for the party, given its current challenging situation. Notably, all party members except for former President Maithripala Sirisena, former General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara, and MP Shan Vijayalal de Silva were invited to participate.

This development follows an interim injunction issued by the Colombo District Court, prohibiting former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP chairman, in response to a complaint filed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

In response, Sirisena has expressed his intent to present the facts before the court regarding this matter.

Adding to the complexities, Acting General Secretary of the SLFP, Dushmantha Mithrapala, lodged a complaint with the Maradana Police, alleging the disappearance of several 'important' files from the party headquarters. Consequently, access to the SLFP headquarters in Darley Road, Colombo 10, has been restricted as investigations into the complaint unfold.