The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) ’15 group’ is now finding itself in a precarious position after being thrashed by the SLFP and shunned Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP).

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President Maithripala Sirisena, on Friday, axed Susil Premajayanth, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, John Seneviratne, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and Chandima Weerakkody from their organizer positions, claiming they had failed to set up balamandala committees in their electorates.

This was followed by the removal of John Seneviratne, Anura Yapa and Chandima Weerakkody from their positions as Co-Chairmen of Development Committees of their districts.

Meanwhile, at a meeting held at his Wijerama residence on Friday, former Presiedent Mahinda Rajapaka too, had blasted the ‘SLFP 15 Group’ members, especially former Minister S.B. Dissanayake, for coming up with what Rajapaksa termed “nonsensical proposals” (Wikaara).

Dissanayake, who attempted to be the go-between of President Sirisena and Rajapaksa, had apparently proposed Rajapaksa to reunite with the SLFP and support Sirisena to become the party’s Presidential candidate in 2020.

An angry Rajapaksa had told Dissanayake in no uncertain terms that he had no Intention of reuniting with the SLFP and backing Sirisena’s presidential candidacy. Rajapaksa’s ‘anti-15 group’ stance has been strongly commended by the MPs supporting the Joint Opposition and the SLPP, Colombo Telegraph learns.

They also expressed fears that the ’15 Group’ could align with the Joint Opposition and SLPP as Sirisena’s “Trojan Horse.” They have also raised suspicions that the sudden action against eight members of the group is aimed at allowing them to infiltrate into the SLPP camp.