website hit counter
Friday, July 4, 2025
Friday, July 4, 2025

HomeNewsSirisena Accepts Siripala as SLFP Leader, Ending Chairmanship Dispute

Sirisena Accepts Siripala as SLFP Leader, Ending Chairmanship Dispute

Sirisena Accepts Siripala as SLFP Leader, Ending Chairmanship Dispute

spot_img

The long-standing tug of war between former president Maithripala Sirisena and Nimal Siripala de Silva for the chairmanship of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) came to an end today (16), when Sirisena informed the Court of Appeal that he would no longer contest for the SLFP Chairmanship.

Sirisena’s lawyer, Maithri Gunaratne PC, conveyed this decision to the court during the hearing of a petition filed by Montagu Sarachchandra, an executive member of the SLFP, who had cited Sirisena for contempt of court. Following the announcement, Gunaratne confirmed that Sirisena had no objection to accepting Siripala de Silva as the new SLFP Chairman.

The dispute arose from the party constitution, which stipulates that a former president, such as Sirisena, loses the right to hold the position of SLFP Chairman upon vacating the presidency. This led to the Colombo District Court issuing a permanent injunction preventing Sirisena from functioning as the SLFP Chairperson. This was the second such ruling against Sirisena, following a previous order issued in a case filed by former president and SLFP patron, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

In addition, the Court of Appeal had earlier issued a notice to Sirisena regarding the contempt of court petition filed by Sarathchandra. The petition alleged that Sirisena had violated a court order preventing him from acting as SLFP Chairman. The two-member bench of the Court of Appeal, led by President Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice Shashi Mahendran, had instructed Sirisena’s legal team to confirm the facts of the case.

Latest articles

Chamuditha Offers Unconditional Apology to Supreme Court and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe

Journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama today (4) offered an unconditional apology before the Supreme Court in...

“We Can’t Afford Science Anymore”: Researcher Shuts Down Lab Amid Customs ‘Import Reforms’

A Sri Lankan academic and researcher says he has been forced to shut down...

Trump eyes simple tariff rates over complex talks, says letters going out Friday

 President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying...

Rape Fastest-Growing Crime in India, Says US; Female Tourists Advised Against Travelling Alone

The United States has issued an updated travel advisory for India, maintaining its Level...

More like this

Chamuditha Offers Unconditional Apology to Supreme Court and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe

Journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama today (4) offered an unconditional apology before the Supreme Court in...

“We Can’t Afford Science Anymore”: Researcher Shuts Down Lab Amid Customs ‘Import Reforms’

A Sri Lankan academic and researcher says he has been forced to shut down...

Trump eyes simple tariff rates over complex talks, says letters going out Friday

 President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying...