Dayasiri is eager to become the SLFP leader

Member of Parliament Dayasiri Jayasekara emphasized that he possesses the necessary qualifications to lead the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and that the final decision should rest with the party's executive council. He stated this at a press conference held yesterday (24), also commenting that the most preferred person by the public should be appointed as the party leader.

He further emphasized that as an active member who began his political journey with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, he is qualified for this leadership.

The MP pointed out that it is important for someone who can rebuild the party from the grassroots, without enthusiasm, to assume leadership when appointing the party leader. He recalled that even though everyone opposed his mother when she was the party leader, the task of rebuilding the party from the grassroots, which had been in decline for 17 years, was initiated by then-President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. He also emphasized that since the Freedom Party began to decline after 2019, it must be rebuilt.

Mr. Dayasiri emphasized that a party is not merely a party office, its signboard, or an executive council. He stated that everyone should unite to create a party that can provide true leadership to the country. Pointing out that one cannot always remain in the same place merely with the feeling of being "senior," he recalled Confucius's saying, "Let a thousand flowers bloom, let a thousand rains fall," emphasizing the importance of new ideas and new blood coming into the party. "I am ready to make those sacrifices. One must know when to leave when they realize the people no longer accept them. Clinging to party leadership by force only alienates the party from the people. Therefore, according to the Dharma verse 'Sabbaṃ pahāya gamaniyaṃ' (Everything must be abandoned and gone), one should be prepared when the time comes to leave," he further added.