Some Opposition parties fight NPP under common symbol in Matara

Former SLPP Matara District parliamentarian Weerasumana Weerasinghe (Communist Party) said that former Pohottuwa seniors representing the Matara District had shed their differences to field combined groups at the Local Government elections today (06).

- BY SHAMINDRA FERDINANDO

Weerasinghe said that they would contest under the 'Bouquet' symbol at eight Local Government bodies at Thihagoda, Kamburupitiya, Kirinda Puhulwella, Hakmana, Mulatiyana, Malimbada, Athuraliya and Devinuwara. The Matara electoral district consists of 17 Local Government bodies.

The ex-lawmaker said that at the parliamentary elections held in August 2020, the SLPP secured six seats from the district. But, at the last parliamentary election, conducted in Nov. last year, the six SLPPers had been divided and aligned with different parties, the CP member said, adding that of them only Nipuna Ranawaka remained with the SLPP whereas Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Kanchana Wijesekera backed the Ranil Wickremesinghe-led New Democratic Front, and Dullas Ahapapperuma threw his weight behind the main Opposition SJB.