MR should steer clear of causing rifts - SB

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Commenting on speculation that SLFP dissidents will form a new political party under the leadership of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Social Empowerment and Welfare Minister S.B. Dissanayake said if the former President loves the SLFP and the country, he should give his blessings to the incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena to take the party forward.

Some constituent allies in the UPFA were trying to exploit Rajapaksa’s popularity in the SLFP for political survival. Those who love the party and the country would not attempt to create divisions within the SLFP, the Minister told the Sunday Observer.

“Rajapaksa should be held responsible for the UPFA’s electoral defeat at the Presidential Election last year.

The UPFA’s Tamil, Muslim and Christian vote base was destroyed by his family members,” he said.