A serious split in the SLFP UK Branch has occurred after a committee meeting held at the Lihiniya Restaurant in Criclewood, London.
Meeting was convened by the President of the UK SLFP branch Rani Bulathwela and many of the sitting committee members attended.
During the meeting a resolution was put forward by a member proposing to send a congratulatory message to former President of the branch Sarath Wijesinghe in his appointment as an Ambassador. Rani Bulkathwela vehemently oppose this proposal saying that Sarath Wijesinghe was a crook and should not be congratulated.
To the amazement of many of the members the Secretary of the Branch Anura Medagedara claimed that he has been appointed by the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse, as the "Advisor to the Minister of Fisheries " with a car and a bungalow for his personal use. He further said that all his friends are welcomed to use his official car and stay in his official bungalow when they are holidaying in Sri Lanka.
After the meeting many of the members who were with the branch for a very long time criticised the way some are using the branch to gain personal benefits. Many said that they were not happy about the way the party branch is conducting it's affairs and that they will be forming a new branch or take necessary steps to oust the sitting office bearers.
At recently held religious ceremony to remember former Branch President Parakrama Ranasinghe, the split came to light when many of the long standing members did not attend although they were all invited by late president's wife.
Many got a real shock when at the Wimal Weerawansa meeting jointly organised by the SLFP branch Anura Medagedara was paraded on stage and was presented as the chief man who conducted a " massive unpresidented anti-LTTE campaign in London".
During an event organised by SLFP UK branch at C&L Country club with a government minister in tow they served liquor freely. Here we have the Mahinda Rajapakse government saying Mathata Thitha but people are serving alcohol at SLFP functions. How ironic is that and what double standards?
Who is this man Anura Medagedara?
He is the biggest photo opportunist among the Sri Lankans in London.
Check this link to see how he used appearing in photographs to show that he is the main man in many a programme that many others put on.
It is said that "Anura Gamini Medagedara" was this man's brother's name. He was an active member of the SLFP in Sri Lanka and was assassinated by the JVP in the 80s.
This man who is using his murdered brother's name was with the JVP for 2 years and later joined the Vijaya/Chandrika Kumaranathunga party in Sri Lanka.
When his brother was killed he used that opportunity to migrate to Holland and successfully applied for asylum. A few years later he managed to get a EU passport and came to the UK. He was working as a cleaner for Brent health authority.
First he went with the JVP. When Wimal Weerawansa was brought to London by the JVP and a meeting was organised under Desha Hithaishee Jathika Viyaparaya London Branch. Anura Medagedara was a committee member in that organisation and went on the stage to appear in photographs. Later on JVP fellows realising this man's background did not entertained his uninvited support.
At Lihiniya he attended several SLFP meetings again uninvited and managed to give speeches as the SLFP fellows were not capable of making any good speeches. When Nimal Siripala De Silva came to London he had a meeting at Lihiniya restaurant. There Anura Medagedara got contact details of Nimal Siripala. He kept constant contacts with the Minister and gained his confidence as a good organiser in London branch of the SLFP.Nimal Siripala was incharge of re-organising the SLFP overseas branches.
In no time he was elected as the Secretary of the London SLFP branch. Using this as a cover he gained access to the President's Media Unit and made some contacts with a few there.
With these he organised a few protests and photographic exhibitions in London, Paris and Rome. Expenses for organising these were paid by the High Commission although the money he got was never spent in organising the protests. Many Sri Lankans volunteered to organise all these thinking it was a national duty at a time of war to help Sri Lanka.
Anura Medagedara was sent to many European capitals to oversee the protests and exhibitions and the expenses were paid by the High Commission.
During the last protest held in London small Lion Flags were sold for 2.00 ponds. The flags were given by the High Commission but the money raised was kept by Anura Medagedara. After the protest he took a few of his friends from the SLFP for a Dinner party at Lihiniya restaurant. With Black Label and Chivas Regal flowing freely the bill came to more than 200.00 pounds. It was paid by Anura using 1.00 pound coins collected by selling lion flags at the protest. People who bought the flags does not know this episode.
He is claiming that the Diplomatic post soon to be vacated by Walter Jayawardene at the Sri Lanka High Commission was offered to him by the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry but he declined the offer. However many says that he is the one who went to Colombo to meet Minister Bogollagama to canvas for the post but failed to get any support.
After the president made an appeal to the Sri Lankan diaspora to return to the country Sri Lankan High Commission made arrangements to summon a meeting of suitable Sri Lankans to explain the President's request. Although the letter of invitation to a meeting was sent by the High Commission, Anura Medagedara has telephoned a few of his friends and claimed that he is the one who is arranging the meeting at the President's request.
He further claims that the Ministry of Fisheries has given him a licence to export Fish and Fish Products from Sri Lanka to Italy. The Sri Lankan Ambassador in Rome has protested about this arrangement and Anura Medagedara has carried a vicious campaign to sack the Ambassador.
His name was also came up with the untimely transfer of the Deputy High Commissioner from the London Mission.
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