The SLPP leadership is coming under pressure from some of its MPs and grassroots leaders to withdraw from responsibilities of state administration and act independently, party office sources said.
This idea was constantly aired at meetings of party activists across the country to discuss the local government polls.
They have become concerned with president Ranil Wickremesinghe having ignored calls for SLPP seniors to be given cabinet positions and his step-motherly treatment of the Rajapaksas.
Also, they are having suspicions that the president is trying to lure some SLPP MPs to his side.
“Let’s start again with those who remain. Or else, the party will erode completely. We cannot approve of certain things the president does. We cannot go on like this. We are too late. Take a decision immediately,” MP Namal Rajapaksa was told by a Pradeshiya Sabha chairman at a meeting in Tissamaharama.
For his part, Rajapaksa requested that neither the president nor government action be criticized publicly until the foundation is laid for economic stability after signing the pact with the IMF.
“During the uprising, only president Ranil Wickremesinghe came forward when all other political leaders evaded. We gave him fullest support. He made a plan to revive the economy. He had discussions with the IMF. Most in the opposition tried to sabotage the IMF thing. They marched in Colombo for that.”
“We too, cannot agree with certain IMF conditions. But, we must support the president fully. That is our responsibility. It is our obligation. The IMF agreement will be signed soon. Then, we would have fulfilled our responsibility. Thereafter, let us decide to remain together or not,” the MP added.
