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SLPP-SLFP talks hit a snag SLFP demands a common symbol instead of lotus bud

29 August 2019 01:54 am - 0     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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As things stand at present, the SLPP isn’t ready to compromise on its lotus bud symbol which, it sees, as appealing both electorally   and culturally to Sri Lankans

As the representatives of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) came out after their latest round of bilateral discussions, they commented to the media only in broad and abstract terms. They dubbed talks as successful, and that was the crux of their overall comments.  It is true that both sides still remain open for talks.  Nevertheless, talks hit a snag on Tuesday since both sides could not agree upon some proposals put on the negotiation table. 

On behalf of the SLFP, its General Secretary Kurunegala district MP Dayasiri Jayasekara proposed that the SLPP should be ready to opt for a common symbol leaving aside its lotus bud symbol when forming an electoral alliance between the two parties in view of the future elections. As things stand at present, the SLPP is not at all ready to compromise its lotus bud symbol which, it sees, as appealing both electorally   and culturally to Sri Lankans.


  • Afterwards, President Sirisena and Rajapaksa had a one-on-one chat on Tuesday evening
  • One faction would rally behind the UNP and another behind the SLPP come what may
  • The UNP, as a party, is currently experiencing one of its worst –ever internal political crises over presidential candidacy

In that sense, the SLFP is demanding the unthinkable from the SLPP. If the SLFP remains adamant and refuses to budge from its position in this respect, talks cannot progress. Likewise, the SLFP, at Tuesday’s meeting, put forward conditions for electoral arrangements, particularly in respect of the general election that follows the presidential elections. It is understandable from a SLFP point of view.  The crux of the matter is that the SLFP is no longer a political force to be reckoned with. It was relegated to a distant third position at the Local Government Elections conducted on February 10, 2018.  Now, it fears whether even its remaining vote base would be diluted further leaving its leaders in the lurch in the event of an electoral pact sans a better deal.  This has promoted the party’s representatives to seek assurances in black and white from the SLPP. That is exactly the reason as to why it sought firm assurances from the SLPP on sharing Cabinet portfolios under a future Government. 

The two parties also exchanged views in regards to the presidential candidate who has already been nominated. But, nothing substantial emerged from this round of bilateral discussion on any significant demand, and therefore no progress could be made.  Be that as it may, they remain open for further talks. Accordingly, they told the media that talks were positive despite them being far from that. In fact, the issues that cropped up during Tuesday’s negotiations were found to be too crucial for the participants to decide on. So, they decided to leave it open for the leaders of the two parties- President Maithripala Sirisena and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa- to discuss.

Afterwards, President Sirisena and Rajapaksa had a one-on-one chat on Tuesday evening. The content of that discussion was not available to the media. According to informed sources, the tete- to- tete between the two leaders had ended on a positive note. 

Besides, the President invited the Opposition Leader to attend the function to mark the opening of Colombo Lotus Tower on September 15. It is yet another Chinese investment launched during Rajapaksa’s term. 

Also, there is another aspect that constrains space for any electoral pact between the two parties ahead of the presidential elections. There is no uniformity in thinking among the SLFP leaders as far as an electoral understanding were the SLPP is concerned.  Despite having talks with the SLPP,  President Sirisena, along with a few others, is personally fond of Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa   who is trying hard to become the presidential candidate of the political front led by the United National Party (UNP). His recent assertion that Premadasa is someone whose name is not tainted with corruption allegations is a shot in the arms of the latter in lobbying for candidacy.  Before that, on many an occasion in the recent past, President Sirisena spoke favourable things about Premadasa. This gave credence to the belief that he would throw his weight behind Premadasa in the event of him succeeding as a presidential candidate.  The SLFP keeps its fingers crossed for such an eventuality.  In fact, SLFP MP   Gamini Vijith Wijeyamuni Zoysa has already tied up with the UNP to become its organiser of the Katana electorate in the Gampaha district.  Likewise, there is another group wanting to join hands with the SLPP. 

The faction, loyal to the UNP, is in a dilemma these days because of internecine warfare of the UNP over presidential candidacy for Premadasa.  This group cannot commit to anything until the UNP patches up its differences and becomes clear about its candidate at the moment. Such frictions would hamper the SLFP from taking a unanimous decision.  

At the end, the SLFP, as a party, may not be able to take a common standpoint. One faction would rally behind the UNP and another behind the SLPP come what may.  If Premadasa becomes the UNP candidate, the President is also likely to support him. Such a move would render the SLFP rudderless leaving it upon individual members to decide their course of political action in their own. 

Full-blown crisis

The UNP, as a party, is currently experiencing one of its worst –ever internal political crises over presidential candidacy.  The initial squabble that started with one group advocating candidacy for Premadasa has now evolved into a full-blown crisis after party Leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe started flexing his muscle to thwart any such move.  

He came hard on two dissident Ministers – Sujeewa Senasinghe and Ajith P.Perera –by instituting disciplinary proceedings against them on Tuesday.    The crisis is now reached boiling point with both sides being unyielding to pressure from each other. 

It has become certain for the loyalists of Premadasa that it is hardly possible   to secure candidacy with consensual agreement with the party leadership.  So, this faction is now hell-bent on exerting pressure on the leadership through all possible avenues available to them. In other words, they have gone to the extent of   exploring the possibility of contesting the elections under a different symbol in case the UNP leadership is not agreeable to them. 

“The UNP is in a serious crisis,” Public Administration Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara told Daily Mirror.  

Premadasa is repeatedly saying that he will contest the elections no matter what.  Alongside, he is lobbying the support of the other parties including the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). 
Recently, the Premadasa group made representations to TNA leader R. Sampanthan and asked for his support. 

But, the TNA was not ready to spell out anything at this stage. Instead, Sampanthan reportedly asked Premadasa to become the candidate first.  The TNA is interested in knowing Premadasa’s policies on the Tamil political question. 

Is it now a Sajith-Karu battle?

Meanwhile, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is also eyeing presidential candidacy representing the UNP-led alliance.  It has now become a hurdle for Premadasa’s political engagements. Therefore, two Premadasa loyalists- Ministers Madduma Bandara and Kabir Hashim-made representation to the Speaker and asked him to stay away from the contest this time. They unsuccessfully tried to convince him that this was not his time to be in the presidential race. They said the 2015 presidential election was his time, but it was a missed opportunity for him.  Nonetheless, the Speaker is still interested in contesting. 

Instead of a Sajith –Ranil battle for candidacy, it is now heading for a Sajith-Karu battle.   

The UNP allies are still in a dilemma being unable to decide. 

Likewise, it is learnt that there are fresh attempts being made by the UNP hierarchy to incorporate the 20th Amendment to the Constitution abolishing the Executive Presidency. It is learnt that the UNP leaders including the Prime Minister and Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake made representation to the President in this regard. But, the President was not receptive to the idea.


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