Accordingly, none of the heads of the local government bodies led by the SLPP in the Ampara District have attended the workshop. Social media reports noted that several SLPP local government members have said they were asked not to attend the workshop by State Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayake. Some media reports have quoted several SLPP local government representatives saying that Dissanayake had threatened he would not sign nominations for the next elections of those who attend the workshop. However, Eastern Province Governor Anuradha Yahampath, addressing the workshop, had said that boycotting the event was similar to rejecting the policies of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The workshop was held at the Hardy Institute auditorium in Ampara.

Source: The Nation July 31, 2021 19:52 UTC