By Zacki Jabbar
With speculation mounting regarding the future of Athauda Seneviratne in the LSSP, General Secretary of the party Batty Weerakoon said yesterday that it was an internal party matter which need not concern the media.

Seneviratne who is Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways has in the recent past voted with the government to extend the state of emergency while his party colleagues Science and Technology Minister Batty Weerakoon and Vasudeva Nanayakkara MP have abstained.

Weerakoon denied that the Athauda Seneviratne issue was discussed at the last two meetings of the LSSP politburo.

Asked what the LSSP's position is on Seneviratne not toeing the party line Weerakoon said "The party will decide on the matter at the right moment".

Assistant Secretary of the LSSP Wimalasiri de Mel said he cannot comment on internal meetings of the party but added that party discipline should be maintained at any cost.

"We are a disciplined party and are not supposed to discuss proceedings of internal party meetings with anyone. I am not even supposed to discuss it with my wife even though she is an LSSP member herself".

Informed sources say that Athauda Seneviratne has on more than one occasion been told by the LSSP that he should fall in line with party decisions.