SLPP loses two more MPs to pro-Ranil alliance

The SLFP-New Alliance combine on Saturday (29) said that regardless of boastful claims made by various political parties it would be the deciding factor at the forthcoming presidential election.It held a meeting at Wellawaya over the weekend.

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said so addressing the Wellawaya rally, the first meeting since Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Duminda Dissanayake received confirmation as Chairman and General Secretary of the SLFP, respectively.

The rally was organised by Monaragala District MP Jagath Pushpakumara.

Minister Amaraweera declared that their next meeting would be organised by SLFP Chairman Nimal Siripala de Silva and State Minister Chamara Sampath at Badulla on July 14th.

All members of the SLFP-New Alliance grouping entered Parliament at the last parliamentary election on the SLPP ticket.

At the Wellawaya rally, SLPP MP Jagath Pushpakumara pledged his support to the grouping. Trade and Environment Minister S. Viyalanderan (SLPP Batticaloa), too, declared his support for the group at the Wellawaya rally.

Among those on stage were Nimal Siripala, Mahinda Amaraweera, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Duminda Dissanayake, Jagath Pushpakumara, Anura Priyadarshanaa Yapa , John Seneviratne, Jagath Priyankara and former minister Sumeda Jayasena.Minister Amaraweera flayed former President and ex-SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena for refusing to enter into a dialogue with MP Nimal Lanza’s group spearheading the effort to build an alliance