Special annual general meeting of SLFP UK Branch 2005

Lanka's need of the hour is to restore peace

Office-bearers 2005

President - Rani Bulathwela, Vice presidents - Sisira Kumara Perera, Edward Galagedara, General Secretary - Keerthi Sumanasiri, Assistant Secretaries - Nanda Karunanayake, Winsie Munaweera, Treasurer - Methsiri Wijeratne.

Executive Committee - Colvin de Silva (Media), Chandana Seneviratne (PRO), Lacland de Abrew, Patlitha Wijeratne, Melroy Mendis, W.A.O. Abeynayake, Sahrmala Bandaranaike, Manel Ranasinghe, Sheela Hettiarachchi, Upali Jothiratne, Piyaratne Senanayake, R. Mailvaganam, Vajira Palandegama, Anura Medagedara, Nihal Jayawardene, W. Karunaratne and Tilak Wisidagama.

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The need of the hour is to restore peace in the country protecting its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security, the annual progress report of the SLFP UK Branch 2005 said.

The report said it is hoped that President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's proposed management structure would be confined mainly to tsunami affected areas and done cautiously as otherwise the LTTE would take an upper hand.

The annual general meeting of the SLFP UK Branch 2005 was held on May 22 at the Lihiniya Restaurant in London. This meeting was chaired by Rani Bulathwela, President of the Branch who welcomed the audience. Health Minister and a Vice President of the Party Nimal Siripala de Silva was the chief guest.

Before the commencement of the proceedings, three minutes silence was observed to commemorate late leaders of the party, tsunami victims and war heroes. Minister De Silva explained the purpose of convening this special session.

General Secretary of the UK Branch, Keerthi Sumanasiri presented the annual progress report.

In this report, he emphasised the work done by the organisation during the recent past for the uplift of the party.

The UK Branch has already been named prominent for its role in organising the expatriate community and its continuing support especially during the elections in 2004.

He said: "We have not only contributed funds but also many of its members' active participation at the General Election campaign was significant".

He also thanked the President for naming him for the National List.

The party donated books worth Rs. 1.5 million given by British universities to the Bandaranaike Memorial International Library at Nittambuwa with the courtesy of Glen Carriers at the President's request.

The UK Branch had also done a lot during tsunami relief operations, while the relief funds collected with the help of the branch officials and its members are being given to the most affected areas.

It has also been decided to fund the first phase of a housing project at Ambalangoda and the other for a proposed scheme presented by Ven. Diviyagaha Yassassi Thera.

The General Secretary in his report also thanked for the continuing support of the branch official who have done a remarkable job to achieve this status.

He proposed that the dual citizenship fee now being paid by expatriate community to be reduced and the abolition of money transfer fee when sending foreign exchange through the Bank of Ceylon. Sumanasiri requested to nominate a few members of the UK Branch to the SLFP Executive Committee. Methsiri Wijeratne submitted the accounts reports.

Minister de Silva said the foreign organisations of the SLFP have come into limelight during the past few years and done a lot for the party to achieve its objectives and policies, because foreign branches have more opportunities especially the UK Branch.

He appreciated the moral support given by the UK Branch and said the UK organisation has become the most prominent branch of the foreign bureau.

The Minister said President Kumaratunga is showing special interest about the branch and had asked him to monitor the election of new office-bearers for the current term.

He said during the process of the election of new officials, conflicts may arise but these should not prevail further and the members should unite together under one banner and support the newly elected staff for their duties ahead.

He said: "We formed this branch while we were in the Opposition and now we are much stronger having gained power to have a unique organisation within the party which has given a tremendous boost during the 2004 election. We assured that we will never forget the party members who support while in the Opposition as well as in office.

"As far as tsunami relief aid, Sri Lanka has gained confidence being the most organised beneficiary according to the donors. Sri Lanka has received pledges US dollars 2.2 billion for the health sector alone."

With regard to the current politics, the Minister said the importance of international aid is imminent especially to countries like Sri Lanka which needs economic backing to overcome problems.

"But the SLFP has its own policies although we are in a coalition. We never give up them and adhere to those democratic and socialist policies," he said.

The living index is high due to many reasons especially due to oil price hike, he said. Even countries like India, China and Great Britain have been affected.

They even look for renewable energy now. But amidst political debates among coalition partners such as the JVP, our Government has been successful to initiate the new hydro electricity power project at Upper Kotmale, he said.

"Our Government has solved the unemployment of the graduates. We even recruited 40,000 staff for our hospitals", he said.

The newly appointed Rani Bulathwela thanked who helped to make the meeting a success and praised the commitment of all members and pledged every support to strengthen the party.

The General Secretary Keerthi Sumanasiri proposed the vote of thanks.

The minutes of the last annual general meeting and the progress reports together with the accounts reports were passed by members.

New office-bearers were elected unanimously and the meeting was followed by a buffet dinner.