"Anyone can join or leave SLFP"-Rajapakse

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 January 2007, 00:27 GMT]
"Every one has the right to join or leave the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). I will not object to any one leaving the party or joining it," said Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse addressing the meetings of SLFP executive committee and all island working committee held Friday at Temple Trees.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is the only enemy to the country and his party. His government is committed to liberate the Tamil people from the clutches of LTTE, said Mr.Rajapakse.

He added that he would not allow the SLFP to split.

New office bearers of the party for 2007 were elected.

Mahinda Rajapakse was elected President. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Prime Minister, Ministers D.M.Jayaratne, Nimal Sripalade Silva and Anura Bandaranaike were elected senior vice presidents and ten more were elected vice presidents.

Minister Maithiripala Sirisena was re-elected General Secretary and Minister Mangala Samaraweera Treasurer. General Anurudhha Ratwatte, former Deputy Defence Minister was elected national organizer of the party