The working committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has appointed MP Thilanga Sumathipala as the general secretary of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). Sumathipala is the vice president of the SLFP.

Sumathipala’s name for the post was proposed by party president Maithripala Sirisena at the working committee meeting held yesterday at the party head office in Colombo. Sirisena handed the appointment letter to Sumathipala at the event.

Sirisena said Sumathipala was being entrusted with the responsibility and challenge of leading a successful new journey together with all parties of the alliance. Sumathipala replaces former general secretary Mahinda Amaraweera.

In June the SLFP removed Amaraweera from all positions in the party for joining the current government.

In addition to appointing Sumathipala as the general secretary, the party also decided to vote against the second reading of the Budget during the vote that will be held today and to suspend the party membership of all those who left the party, including Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.