SLFP to field young blood

Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) will give nominations to young professionals,artistes and intellectuals, Rural Economic Development Minister S.B.Dissanayake, said.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer on SLFP nominations, he said the party will bring fresh faces into mainstream politics, amidst speculation that at least 40 % of the old guard will be denied nominations by the SLFP.

"It is important for the SLFP not to be divided. This has been achieved and it is in the party's best interests. We have a lot of people coming forward,' Dissanayake said.

The minister said that merely due to allegations of corruption, it would be unfair to deny nomination. A few former UPFA MPs who have been allegedly involved in drug, ethanol and other serious issues not be given nominations from the UPFA.

However, it is entirely up to President Maithripala Sirisena to take a final decision to accept or reject nominations, he said. Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena has turned down a request to nominate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the UPFA Prime Ministerial candidate and also refused to allow Rajapaksa to lead the UPFA election campaign.