People Expect The SLFP To Be United – — Rathnasiri Wickramanayake
- Drawing The Battle Line For The Hustings
By Waruni Karunarathne
As the politicians have fiercely entered their political campaigns ahead of the upcoming general election, some seem to have changed their stance merely based on party politics neglecting the interests of the country. After a series of internal discussions and plotting, everybody is determined to play the best trump with less in mind for people. While the two main political parties are targeting to form the next government in whichever way they possibly can, the minor parties are determined to secure more seats in parliament in order to gain more power. Speaking to The Sunday Leader, several political party members, including the UNP, SLFP, JVP and TNA expressed their views on the upcoming election and showed confidence to face the election.
Rathnasiri Wickramanayake is a senior member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). At present, he serves as a senior advisor to President Maithripala Sirisena. Given below are experts of the interview with Wickramanayake on current political issues.
Following are excerpts of the interview:
Q: What is your opinion about the upcoming general election?
A: In short, if we split we will lose. Our strength is in our alliance and unity. If we continue to work together in unison we will not have any obstacle.
Q: If you fail to work together, what is the fate to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party?
A: We will face our downfall. I cannot exactly say what will happen in the future. People of the country will have to decide that. I am not ready to go behind astrologers to determine that.
Q: In short, are you suggesting that if the current President of the SLFP, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and all the other members of the SLFP get together, you will be able to rebuild the party?
A: If they manage to get together, then there will not be any issue.
Q: Are you currently playing the role of a mediator to bring the party together?
A: Until last week, I mediated between them. But since last week, I have decided not to meddle with their decisions and let them sort out their issues.
Q: What is your opinion about the government that will be formed after the next general election?
A: It is difficult to determine it right now. The age where they checked horoscopes to determine the future is over.
Q: If the SLFP or UPFA is to form a government, what measures should be taken?
A: If they need to form a government led by the SLFP, they will have to be united and overcome the differences.
Q: If that is the case, can the party be wheeled towards the victory?
A: Yes, definitely. Only if they get together as I mentioned.
Q: In order for the SLFP to win, do you have to name the former President as the prime ministerial candidate?
A: No. That is not necessary. By getting together, we can wheel the party towards the victory at the general election.
Q: Is it right to ask somebody who was defeated at the Presidential election to lead the general election campaign?
A: Whether it is right or wrong should be decided by former President himself. He is the one who faced the election last time.
Q: Mahinda Rajapaksa has served as the leader of the SLFP, MP, minister and the President of the country for two terms. But at present, it is a different group of people who are demanding him to be the Prime Minister. Why is that?
A: I have a very good answer for that question. More than the SLFP members, a set of outside groups are enthusiastic to make him the Prime Ministerial candidate under SLFP. That seems to be the demand of those few groups but it is not the demand of the people of this country.
Q: What do you think is the demand of the people of this country?
People’s request is to come forward as a united SLFP.
Q: It seems that a set of outsiders are trying to take control of the SLFP. How do you respond to that?
A: You can say it that way. It depends on how decent they can be in political arena. If they are remotely recent, they will not enter a house by force and take the belongings.
Q: According to you, where do you think Mahinda Rajapaksa should be?
A: That is not for me to decide. Everybody expect the party to be united.
Q: Does it mean that he does not need a post?
A: One must contest the election, without demanding positions. The public is in that stance. They must have total confidence that the victory is theirs.
Q: If President Maithripala Sirisena cares for the party, he will have to save the party?
A: There are some instances where we have no clue as to what is happening internally in the party. I doubt that the party can be saved in this manner.
Q: The current President is a senior SLFP member who has acted as the party chairman and the party secretary for a long time. He says that some may go to the extent of killing him to be the President. Can SLFP appoint a prime minister who would go to the extent of taking such actions?
A: That is why we should not allow any split within the party.
Q: Is it a disadvantage for the SLFP to have the election right now?
A: There may be various other reasons that may affect the party at present. I am not ready to give answers expecting the victory of any other party.
Q: The United National Party (UNP) is expecting to form a national government after the election. Is SLFP ready to form a national government with the UNP?
A: Any party can have their political vision. According to UNP, they say they will not form a government alone but will govern the country together with another party. That is their vision. We will decide as to whether we will join them or not once we receive the invitation.
Q: They failed to pass the 20th Amendment to the constitution in parliament. How will it affect the election?
A: The 20th Amendment was necessary. It is such a major drawback.
Q: Will you contest at the upcoming election?
A: I was appointed through the national list. In future also, there will not be any change to that.
Q: Don’t you want to go among the people and contest again?
A: Then it will be problematic.
(Interview by Dileesha Abeysundera. Translated by Waruni Karunarathne)
Ho will contest the election will be decided in time.
