Colombo, Dec 15: The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has adopted sweeping constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening internal democracy and reducing the concentration of power in the hands of the party leader.
Under the amended constitution, the authority of the party chairman has been significantly curtailed, with key decisions now subject to collective approval. Recruitment, removal, or expulsion of party members—previously exercised solely by the leader—will henceforth require the concurrence of the Politburo.
The reforms also reshape the composition of the Politburo. While the party leader earlier had the power to appoint all 15 members, the revised structure allows the leader to appoint only seven members, and that too in consultation with existing office-bearers. The remaining eight members will serve ex-officio, including the General Secretary, National Organiser and Treasurer, ensuring broader institutional representation in decision-making.
In another notable change, the long-standing practice of the party leader serving as the head of the women’s and youth wings has been abolished, a move intended to decentralise authority and promote independent leadership within these sections.
The SLFP has also lowered the minimum age for party membership from 18 to 16, a step seen as an effort to encourage greater youth participation in party activities.
Party officials described the amendments as a major step towards reinforcing democratic norms within the organisation, arguing that excessive centralisation of authority has been a persistent weakness in many political parties.
As part of organisational changes, MP Chamara Sampath Dasanayake has been appointed National Organiser, while Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has assumed duties as Senior Vice Chairman. Former minister Nimal Siripala de Silva continues as the current chairman of the SLFP.
The SLFP, which has been led in the past by former Presidents Maitripala Sirisena, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, said the latest reforms are designed to prevent the concentration of power and strengthen collective leadership within the party.
