LG polls: SLFP plays MR card

Chief Minister Devapriya addressing the media yesterday at his office in Colombo. Pic by Ranjith Wimalasiri

By Ranjith Wimalasiri-December 20, 2017, 10:33 pm 

Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya yesterday called on all SLFP candidates, contesting the forthcoming local polls to include pictures of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in their campaign posters and other such propaganda materials.

The Chief Minister made that request while addressing a press conference held at the Chief Minister’s office in Colombo.

Chief Minister Devapriya said former president Rajapaksa was still a member of the SLFP and, therefore, the SLFP members should make use of the latter’s popularity to ensure the SLFP victory at the forthcoming polls.

The Joint Opposition (JO) had no moral right to make use of the popularity of former President, who identified himself as an SLFP member, the Chief Minister said.

In 2015, the SLFP led by President Maithripala Sirisena allowed former President Rajapaksa to lead the party’s general election campaign and secured 96 seats. While the campaign was in full swing, Sirisena declared that he would not make Rajapaksa the Prime Minister even if the SLFP won the polls. After the election, Sirisena formed a joint administration with the UNP and prevented Rajapaksa from securing the post of the Opposition Leader.