GL blames SLFP for duplicity

November 6, 2016, 10:01 pm 

Former External Affairs Minister and Chairman of newly registered Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday told The Island that the suspension of his SLFP membership should be examined against the backdrop of the then SLFP General Secretary Maithripala contesting the SLFP’s presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa at January 2015 polls.

Prof. Peiris said that he wouldn’t challenge the SLFP’s right to take disciplinary measures against him over the formation of a new political outfit. However, the SLFP couldn’t treat two members in respect of violation of discipline differently, Prof. Peiris said, adding that he expected the party to review his suspension.

Responding to a query, Prof. Peiris pointed out that immediately after Maithripala Sirisena had switched his allegiance

to the then Opposition, the party suspended him. But, subsequently, the suspension had been withdrawn paving the way for him to receive the leadership in the wake of his victory at the presidential polls.

Prof. Peiris urged the SLFP leadership not to adopt double standards in dealing with disciplinary matters. (SF)