SLFP power struggle goes to court

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 July 2002, 15:55 GMT]
The Colombo District Court Tuesday issued a restraining order on the senior leaders of the main opposition, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) preventing them from suspending the party membership of Colombo district parliamentarian Mr.A.H.M.Fowzie. The District Judge said that his restraining order will be valid till 31 July this year. The SLFP is the major constituent of the main opposition Peoples Alliance (PA).

The District Court made this order after went through the petition filed by the former People’s Alliance Minister Mr.Fowzie Tuesday.

In his petition Mr.Fowzie, once powerful minister in the PA cabinet states that President Chandrika Kumaratunge in the capacity of President of the SLFP had sent him a letter seeking explanation on a statement he made advocating the formation of a national government.

Mr.Fowzie has sought the court to issue a restraining order on Mr. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake and Mr.D.M.Jayaretna, senior leaders of the SLFP not to take any steps to expel him from the party.

President Chandrika Kumaratunge has not been conferred with any power to expel members from the party without getting the consent of the executive committee.

Mr.Fowzie said that he advocated the national government concept in the best interest of the country.