A sudden leadership shake-up looms within the Ceylon Workers’ Congress as internal disputes and political fallout push senior figures toward a decisive break.
The General Secretary of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress, Nuwara Eliya District MP Jeevan Thondaman, has decided to step down from his post, triggering fresh uncertainty within one of Sri Lanka’s most influential plantation-based political parties.
According to a senior vice-chairman of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress, Jeevan Thondaman has already contacted several vice-chairmen by telephone, requesting that the party’s National Council be convened to formally address his resignation as General Secretary.
Sources within the party say the decision follows the defeat of the 2026 budget proposal at the Agarapatana Pradeshiya Sabha, where the Ceylon Workers’ Congress currently holds the chairmanship. After the budget setback, a heated telephone argument reportedly took place between CWC Chairman Sendhil Thondaman and General Secretary Jeevan Thondaman. Party insiders say this confrontation became the tipping point that led to the resignation decision.
A senior vice-president of the Ceylon Workers’ Congress further revealed that Jeevan Thondaman has requested letters to be issued to CWC municipal councillors in Talawakele Lidula, Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council, Haguranketha, Walapane, and Kotmale. These letters would instruct councillors, where he serves as vice-president, to withdraw their support for the government.
However, uncertainty remains over the next procedural step. A senior vice-president stated that while the General Secretary has requested the National Council meeting verbally, the council will only be convened if the request is formally submitted in writing, as required under party rules.
The unfolding developments point to growing internal tensions within the Ceylon Workers’ Congress, with potential implications for both party unity and its political alignment at the national level.
