February 01, Colombo (LNW): Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and former MP Thilanga Sumathipala have reportedly resigned from their positions as Secretary General of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA).
The decision to step down follows a request from Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Leader, former President Maithripala Sirisena, who is in the process of establishing a new alliance.
In compliance with Sirisena’s request, both Amaraweera and Sumathipala have submitted their resignation letters to the former President.
This move comes in the context of the formation of a fresh alliance, and the individuals in question have acted in accordance with the party’s leadership directive.
Amaraweera had previously been removed from the post of Secretary General of the UPFA when he accepted a ministerial position within the government.
Subsequently, Sumathipala assumed the role. However, Amaraweera contested this decision through legal channels, and the Election Commission clarified that neither of them was officially recognised as the Party Secretary General.
Given these circumstances, Sirisena deemed it necessary to have both individuals step down from the Secretary General position.
The intention is to appoint a new figure to the role, facilitating the use of the betel leaf sign (Bulath Kolaya) for the emerging alliance, which is anticipated to be named the United Peoples Freedom Alliance.
