The General Secretary of the SLFP Minister Maithripala Sirisena has stated that the party came to this decision to give opportunity to the youth generation that is committed to the party.
The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), key constituent of the ruling alliance has decided not to give nominations to the wives and other family members of the ministers and parliamentarians at the Provincial Council elections scheduled to be held in few months.
The General Secretary of the SLFP Minister Maithripala Sirisena has stated that the party came to this decision to give opportunity to the youth generation that is committed to the party.
However, the party has not yet come to a decision regarding the incumbent councilors who are family members of the Ministers or MPs, the Minister says. Their nominations are to be decided on their performances.
Ministers use the Provincial Council elections to field their family members as candidates and their campaigns get undue advantages with the support of the Minister.
The SLFP has not yet decided on the candidature for the chief ministerial positions of the three provinces and those will be decided after the nomination committee meets on Friday July 06, the Minister has said.
Meanwhile, the working committee of main opposition United National Party has called a special meeting on Thursday (05) to discuss the chief minister candidates from the UNP for the three provincial councils.
A party representing the government has requested to contest the PC polls under the opposition and the working committee is expected to make a decision on the request.
The party has reportedly received suggestions that it should not name chief ministerial candidates but to appoint team leaders and face the polls. The UNP working committee is also to make a final decision on the issue at tomorrow's meeting.
(CP)