NO EFFORT TO DISMISS MAITHRI FROM CHAIRMANSHIP

President Maithripala Sirisena venting out his feelings day-before-yesterday has turned out to be an

What was expressed at this public speech was that the UNP majority and SLFP minority which the public chose by giving leadership to President Maithripala Sirisena as their leader on January 8th would prevent Mahinda establishing his regime, reminding of the latter's activities and certifying that the new hopes visualized on behalf of Mahinda would not materialize. Unlike when the public were addressed on other occasions, this happened to be a public address made on a background which created a curiosity among the public and this speech reaching many a crowd made an influence on the SLFP election campaign.

Thilanga Sumathipala, Media Co-ordinator of the SLFP says that this statement was an unanticipated one and though refusal to grant nominations to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa could be understood, why he happened to make yesterday's statement advantageous to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasingha cannot be gauged. Though it was announced yesterday that it was decided to elect Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, the candidate for Kurunegala District to the position of Chairman of the election directions committee by the Executive Committee of the Alliance, what Susil Premajayantha said yesterday was that, that decision too was obtained in written form from President Maithripala two weeks before this. Maithri has not shown any opposition against Mahinda being elected in that manner. Whatever it is, Susil admitted yesterday that this approval was hidden from the media those days.

The President gave over organising activities of Mulkirigala to Nirupama Rajapaksa yesterday and whether bestowing such a position to a close relative of Mahinda just before 24 hours had elapsed after his speech was to give Mahinda the impression that 'your people are with me' or to show that Maithri entertains only a political opposition even though he reprimanded Mahinda, is not clear.Whatever it is, the SLFP Central Executive Committee which Anura Priyadarshana summoned last morning was prevented by President Maithripala by a sudden enjoining order of courts; but both Susil Premajayantha and Thilanga Sumathipala have mentioned and certified in the presence of the media on two occasions that nobody had plans of dismissing President Maithripala Sirisena from the position of Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. In the meantime Secretary Anura had informed the President that a Central Executive Committee meeting is imperative to discuss matters relating to the election within the prevailing environment and it would be held to discuss other matters in a few days' time.

Though Maithri was against Mahinda, he had given nominations to Mahinda. When viewing it from that angle, if Mahinda wins with a majority of Seats and if pressure is applied on him, whatever said and done, Mahinda would be given the position of Prime Minister, political ideologists have pointed out. President Maithri who was silent for about one and a half weeks since the day that news of Mahinda being given nominations broke out, opinions have been expressed that Maithri had made such an impulsive speech to release the pressure that came from within the Party as well as without and also to patch up hearts of those who were disappointed and to win the hearts of those who were hurt during that period.