Several SLFP members to join UNP
By Ashanthi Warunasuriya
Several Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members have decided to join the United National Party (UNP) in protest over the reported decision taken by President Maithripala Sirisena to give nominations to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
SLFP Treasurer S.B. Nawinna told The Sunday Leader that he has already decided to join the UNP to contest the August 17 Parliamentary election.
Meanwhile, several others, including former Parliamentarians Arjuna Ranatunga and Hirunika Premachandra are having discussions with the SLFP leadership to decide their next move.
Former UNP Parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella said several SLFP and UPFA members had contacted the UNP and expressed the desire to contest under the UNP ticket.
He said that most of the SLFP and UPFA members who had contacted the UNP are former Parliamentarians.