SLFP in crisis over Basil or Nimal as Jeyaraj replacement

By Munza Mushtaq
A fresh crisis is brewing within the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) over the replacement of party strongman Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.

The Bottom Line reliably learns that the party is already divided over who should take over Fernandopulle’s responsibilities, with some proposing the name of Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa, while others have proposed the name of ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Susil Premajayantha.

According to sources, moves are under way to appoint Basil Rajapaksa as the Minister of Highways and then as Chief Government Whip.

“But some senior SLFP members have protested on grounds that Rajapaksa does not have the equivalent knowledge and capability as Fernandopulle, taking into consideration how short a period he has been in Parliament,” sources said.

It is also learnt that several ministers close to the presidential advisor have approached President Mahinda Rajapaksa requesting him to appoint his brother (Basil) to the top slot.

“Controversial non cabinet minister Mervyn Silva and Deputy Minister, Power & Energy Mahindananda Aluthgamage have commenced heavy campaigning in favour of Basil Rajapaksa’s appointment,”  sources said.

But a larger group of SLFPers, including senior members, are supporting the appointment of Maithripala Sirisena, who is also the SLFP’s General Secretary.

They have cited his long political career as one reason why he should be appointed as the Chief Government Whip.

“The SLFP is facing a huge crisis, because they don’t have anyone who can match up to Fernandopulle’s arguing style, specially in Parliament, and so, this is a huge problem for the party, because neither can Sirisena nor Rajapaksa match the late minister’s quick debating competence,” the source added.