The SLFP chairmanship would not have accepted by me had I known the Obstacles Placed

President Maitripala Sirisena said he would not have accepted the chairmanship of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) had he known well in  advance the harassment he would be subjected to when conducting  the party’s affairs. He said this at a  meeting  held  in Ambalangoda on Saturday.  He assumed that he would receive the same support and cooperation enjoyed by the party’s past leaders.  As the SLFP leader, he was ready to stand up to these harassment, he said. When I was relaxing at my residence after being sworn in as President,  some 20-odd SLFPers came to me and asked me to accept the party leadership. I was surprised.  I inquired from them whether former president Mahinda Rajapaksa would like my taking up the chairmanship. They told me that Mr. Rajapaksa’s concurrence was secured prior to offering the leadership to me,” he said. Mr. Sirisena said he had sought a verbal assurance from Mr. Rajapaksa.