ECONOMYNEXT –The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) invites MPs from all parties to form a common alliance, former president and SLFP chairman Maithripala Sirisena said, also suggesting that he is open to running for president again.

Speaking to reporters in Colombo on Thursday August 31 after a party meeting, Sirisena said there is a chance he might be asked to contest a presidential election in 2024.

Asked if he would accept a call to run for president once again, Sirisena said, with a hearty laugh: “There is a chance it might happen.” His entourage, too, appeared to find his response amusing.

“Can’t I work as president? I have shown that I can. Let’s see how it goes. We’re ready for anything,” he said, getting into his vehicle.

At a press conference held earlier Thursday, the former president said the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) does not pose any challenge to his SLFP.

“The SLPP is now in shambles. No one knows what even happened to the president [Gotabaya Rajapaksa] in the end,” he said. “The SLPP Is barely a party. It has no formal structure, no one even knows what their constitution is,” he added.

Asked if members of the SLPP offered to work together with the SLFP, Sirisena said: “We invite everyone, not only the SLPP but all parties and MPs to come together to form an alliance for a good government.”

“We won’t give nominations to anyone with corruption allegations,” he said.

Sirisena went on to say that there is speculation that a provincial council election will be held first to test the waters. “We’re ready for any election,” he said.Meanwhile, SLFP general secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara responded to reports that sections of the party are conspiring to have him removed from the position. This follows a last-minute decision to shift the SLFP’s 72nd anniversary celebrations from Kurunegala, his electorate, to Colombo.

Speaking to reporters after Thursday evening’s party meeting, Jayasekara said he only learnt Thursday evening about the decision. Asked if it is true that the party’s general secretary doesn’t know what’s going on in his own party, he said: “I didn’t know before. But I know today.”

If Sirisena and the SLFP central committee no longer wishes to have him on board, Jayasekara said, he is happy to leave.

“I’ll remain in the party, though,” he said.

“There is no pushback against me from the bottom. It’s a few at the top level who want me out so they can go and plug this party to [President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP)],” he said.

Notable among the attendees at the party meeting on Thursday ahead of the anniversary event was Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera whom, among others in the SLFP who had joined President Wickremesinghe’s cabinet of ministers, had been on the receiving end of criticism from the party for going against a party decision to not accept President Wickremesinghe’s invitation to support the government.

Party leader Sirisena denied that there is any rift in the party. He explained the decision was made taking into account the rainy weather now prevailing in the country, despite heavy rains in Colombo.

“We have all been like brothers. I have no idea where you’re finding these false reports,” he said to reporters questioning him.Asked if there were attempts to remove Jayasekara as general secretary, Sirisena said: “Says who? That’s an absolute lie.” (Colombo/Sep01/2023)