Maithriplala’s leadership in the SLFP challenged

A Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) activist has filed a lawsuit in Colombo District Court seeking a declaration that the appointment of Maithripala Sirisena as the Chairman of SLFP is illegal.

SLFP activist Montague Sarathchandra filed this lawsuit naming SLFP Chairman Maithipala Sirisena, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera, Treasurer Lasantha Alagiyawanna and its National Organizer Duminda Dissanayake as the defendants.

The plaintiff is of the view that in terms of section 12(2) (a) of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party constitution, former President Maithripala Sirisena is disqualified to hold the position of party chairmanship since he is no longer carrying out the function of the Head of State. The plaintiff argued that since Maithripala Sirisena’s term as the President of Sri Lanka ended on November 18, 2019, he has no power to continuously hold the party chairmanship by violating the party constitution.

Meanwhile, the Colombo District Court has issued notices for an interim injunction returnable on May 4. Counsel Dinesh de Silva appeared for the plaintiff.