by Dasun Edirisinghe

President Maithripala Sirisena appointed 22 new SLFP organizers yesterday, replacing some members who are openly backing the Joint Opposition led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Accordingly, Minuwangoda SLFP Organiser and Convener of the Joint Opposition, Gampaha District MP Prasanna Ranatunga, has been replaced with his brother and former MP Ruwan Ranatunga. Central Provincial Council Minister Thilina Bandara Tennakoon appointed as the Senkadagala electorate organiser. The post was earlier held by MP Dilum Amunugama.

Western Provincial Council Minister Sumith Lal Mendis has been appointed the Co-Organiser of the Kalutara electorate. MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena was the Organiser of Kalutara earlier.

Chairman of the Mulleriyawa-Kotikawatte Pradeshiya Sabha Prasanna Solangaarachchi has been appointed the Kolonnawa SLFP Organiser. Former MP Duminda Silva held that post earlier.

Maharagama SLFP Organiser Kanthi Kodikara has been replaced with Western Province Chief Minister Isura Dewapriya and Dehiwela SLFP Organiser Dhanasiri Amaratunga with by Keerthi Udawatte.

According to changes introduced yesterday, 17 new electoral organisers as well as five district organisers have been appointed.

Other new SLFP electoral organisers are: Western Provincial Council member Hector Bethmage (Colombo West), Former Western Provincial Councilor Sumith Wijayamuni Zoysa (Avissawella), Sanjaya Siriwardena (Meerigama – Co – Organiser),

Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Mahinda Samarasinghe (Panadura), Western Provincial Council Minister Ranjith Somawansa (Agalawatte), Southern Provincial Council Minister Chandima Rasaputra (Matara), Minister Social Empowerment and Social Welfare S. B. Dissanayake (Hewaheta), Central Provincial Councilor Manel Bandara Abeyratne (Udu Nuwara), Mahinda Abeykoon (Kandy), Muhammad Samzan (Akurana) and Nalin Gunawardena (Seruwila).

New SLFP District Organisers: Sujeewa Chandrasiri (Colombo District), Anju Sri Shyam Perera (Gampaha District), Asanka Ediriweera (Kalutara District), Southern Provincial Council Member Saliya Sri Channa Mendis and Thisara Gunasinghe (Galle District), Souther Provincial Council member Pasanda Yapa Abeywardena and Nalin Ranaweera (Matara District).

The appointees took their oaths at the President Sirisena’s official residence. Presidential Secretary P. B. Abeykoon and the General Secretary of the SLFP, Duminda Dissanayake also attended the event.

Courtesy:the Island