SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena has admitted that the ruling party campaign for the Western Provincial Council which polls on April 25 had been plagued by disputes among UPFA candidates.

Addressing a recent gathering of candidates at Temple Trees chaired by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he demanded an immediate halt to in-fighting among candidates and adverse comments against each other by members of the party.

Sirisena said that the party was embarrassed by this situation which will take the shine out of their victory. What was necessary was not punitive disciplinary action that was demanded but the need to avoid damaging disputes.

But regardless Sirisena’s advice, Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Nirmala Kotalawala, SLFP MPs representing Kalutara District, continued to attack former Western Province Chief Minister Reginald Cooray.

Political sources said that Cooray had hit back hard vowing to fight for the post of the chief minister. Well informed sources said that with Cooray facing a serious challenge from Thilanga Sumathipala and Prasanna Ranatunga contesting the Colombo and Gampaha districts respectively, the ongoing attack on Cooray could be part of a strategy to undermine him.

Sources said that personal attacks could upset Cooray’s efforts to obtain over 100,000 preferential votes at the polls.

Another SLFP candidate recently ridiculed Cooray for seeking a second term after wasting his first singing and acting, two of the chief minister’s favourite pastimes.

Sources said although the focus was on slinging mud at Cooray, there had been several other incidents. Some candidates have lodged police complaints against their colleagues.

Recently an SLFP candidate contesting the Gampaha district accused an ex-UNPer who had secured an appointment as a coordinating secretary to the President of leading an attack on one of his offices in the Ragama police area.