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Last Updated : 2024-05-10 12:42:00
10 January 2024 09:40 am - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Colombo, Jan 10 (Daily Mirror) - With the elections looming on the horizon, the political landscape is witnessing strategic moves and party-switching among politicians, marking a season of political skulduggery.
In this case, some politicians, uncertain about re-election representing the parties they currently represent, are making headlines by crossing party lines to carve out electoral standings in different setups.
The National People's Power (NPP), a political coalition led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has remained steadfast in its policy against accommodating crossovers from other parties.
Contrastingly, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) emerges as a primary recipient of members defecting from other parties, seeking platforms to raise their electoral prospects. The SJB's openness is based on a political rationale from their perspective.
For it, embracing political defectors appears to be a strategic move aimed at expanding its support base and fortifying its position ahead of the elections.
Politicians often justify such party-switching as aligning with policy interests whereas the actual reason is in the personal interests - the quest for re-election. These politicians calculate how they can get reelected when their party loses standing among voters ahead of elections. Recently, one time Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) stalwart Shan Wijeyalal de Silva joined the SJB as the best platform which he sees. He was followed by SLFP member Dayashritha Thisera.
The group of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs who defected from the government under the leadership of MP Dullas Alahapperuma has found it challenging to emerge as a separate political entity at the next election. Its members such as MPs Prof. G.L Peiris and Dilan Perera got wind of the impending scenario and threw their weight behind the SJB well in advance.
In the formation of the political alliance, Mr. Alahapperuma is reported to have sought the deputy leader post whereas the SJB declined to offer it. The party is reported to have cited that it’s difficult to offer it to a newcomer disregarding party seniors like Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Lakshman Kiriella.
The SLPP group led by MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa is fully identified with President Ranil Wickremesinghe. In the time of political skulduggery, there will be defections from the SJB too.
As voters navigate this complex political landscape, staying informed about party ideologies, individual track records, and the dynamics of these strategic moves becomes crucial. That is because politicians craft narratives to explain their tactical decisions in the lead-up to the polls.
Malinga Mendis Wednesday, 10 January 2024 10:00 AM
As the public, combating corruption and establishing good governance in the country should be our key priority in the elections to come. So elect a party and individuals who can be trusted to end corruption. Don't get deceived this time...
Kick these scum out Wednesday, 10 January 2024 10:00 AM
This is the reason we are voting for the NPP this time. With the other parties we don't know whom or what we are really voting for. If we vote for UNP we get a hybrid with SLPP. If we vote for SJB we get a mongrel mix with UNP.
Vote wisely Wednesday, 10 January 2024 03:34 PM
You are so correct. Hope all will think like you before casting their votes.
Mr GJWH JOHN Wednesday, 10 January 2024 10:04 AM
It seems to me that politions would want to switch parties because the most important issue for them is to remain in power
Navin Perera Wednesday, 10 January 2024 10:07 AM
Voting for SJB, UNP or SLPP it's the same clowns different circus. So please vote for JVP if you want real change.
Nobody Wednesday, 10 January 2024 04:04 PM
JVP has the biggest set of jokers... all they know is to protest.. has anyone in that party run a business or at a minimum done a proper job? how on earth are these people going to run a conuntry.. we had one guy without experience destroying the whole country.. only the stupid will repeat the same mistake
Sokrates Wednesday, 10 January 2024 10:08 AM
Politicians who change parties in Germany have no chance of getting a party office or being nominated as a candidate for several years.
warren Wednesday, 10 January 2024 10:35 AM
Transcending all differences, the choice for the Sri Lankan voters in an election is between a visionary leader with progressive, market-based policies and an imbecilic pseudo-leader with backwards-looking, antediluvian Marxist policies. Needless to say, the choice is clear for the majority of our wise voters!
Volker Metzger Wednesday, 10 January 2024 10:36 AM
I have noticed elsewhere that there are obviously many politicians in Sri Lanka who change their basic political beliefs and attitudes more often than they change their underwear!!! You have to seriously ask which people are changing and what are their goals? An analysis probably shows that they make such changes primarily for personal, egoistic motives, with the aim of continuing to exert political influence! In Sri Lanka, this approach is particularly appropriate at this point in time (elections!) when polls signal the death of the old political “homeland”! It remains highly questionable, indecent political behavior that both voters and the leadership of the elected party should view with more than skepticism!!! Using the example of the SJB and Premadasa's welcome, it can already be said that the "newcomers" will not be an asset to the party and will not bring any more votes!!! Premadas should present Fonseka, the only formidable presidential candidate!!! That would get votes
Jump into Lake Wednesday, 10 January 2024 10:53 AM
Waste of taxpayers money
Dinesh Wednesday, 10 January 2024 12:06 PM
respect to NPP for not taking hanger on and political destitutes from other parties...that itself should tell us the value system of the parties....problem is has most voters still grown a brain or not..
NV Jen Wednesday, 10 January 2024 12:50 PM
Those who switch to different party are unblemished, and if the intention is to form a stable govt. against an insensitive govt. it is acceptable. NPP leaders may be untainted when it comes to money. But voting them in without an understanding of their economic, social and foreign policies may turnout to be another failed experiment similar to that of Gota fiasco.
RF Wednesday, 10 January 2024 01:10 PM
There crossover types never end up with NPP... There has to be a good reason for this. My guess is they cannot continue with bribery and corruption.... I hope the country will give a chance to NPP to govern.
Gune Wednesday, 10 January 2024 01:41 PM
Real idiots are not the useless MPs who cross over, but the gutless parties which accept them. Kudos to NPP who has a clear policy for not accepting these parasites . That in itself is a classy action. SJB has no credibility on that and they will accept any garbage. This time or never for SL voters.
Democrat Wednesday, 10 January 2024 01:58 PM
Great beneficiary of all these usual moves will be NPP. Their vote bank will be swelled significantly
Last chance to get rid of corrupt politicians Wednesday, 10 January 2024 02:07 PM
Hopefully, Sri Lankan voters will look at sofar uncorrupt NPP favorably in forthcoming elections. Majority of the voters are fed up with corrupt political parties such SLPP, UNP, SJB, SLFP who have no respect for the rule of law. Ranil with the help of Basil will do every possible thing not to conduct election with the help of US, China and India.
Nandasena Edirisuriya Wednesday, 10 January 2024 02:43 PM
we must appreciate NPP stand not take defectors from other parties. Those defectors are very experience deal makers and with corrupt mindset. It will not be easy for NPP to implement their policies with these people too long. Soon they will start disrupting the programs. The voters must be smart enough to give sufficient power to NPP to run the parliament without getting assistance from other parties. Be wise and vote smartly.
Lionel Wednesday, 10 January 2024 02:46 PM
It is indeed unbelievable that in SL, certain politicians are always Ministers no matter what the party in power is. Stupid voters too keep voting them in. What all these rogue MPs have to do is to cross over to a party and say good things about the potential winning leader, and that stupid leader will accept them. Funny thing is they quickly forget the abuses they did to each other and copped while in opposition and just say we are now a team. I have not seen that idiotic behaviour anywhere in the world at all. Not only that, these crooked parasites will be higher in the pecking order than the long serving old party members of that party. How this practice is tolerated by everyone including voters is beyond my comprehension.
Kays N Wednesday, 10 January 2024 02:57 PM
While not approving the antics of political gemba types, it is a moot point to consider if the NPP stance is simply based on reality that NPP crossovers are a one-way street--to other parties and not vice-versa. Similar to the reality that no westerners (or Sri Lankans even of NPP mindset) migrate to North Korea, Iran, China, or Russia as economic refugees.
Cherath Wednesday, 10 January 2024 03:35 PM
One way one can judge the popularity of a party is by the amount of mud slung at each of them. Another way is by the number of rallies they hold and their attendance. Of course, mud will be thrown even at them questioning the attendance, like ferrying crowds etc. The NPP has the highest popularity right now. Sceptics and rivals will always cook up accusations questioning their virtue, like lack of experience. How can one be judged on experience if they aren't given the opportunity, time and again?
Jega Wednesday, 10 January 2024 04:01 PM
Even educated people are foolish when taking decisions with regard to whom to vote. They only listen to the rhetoric of the politicians without thinking the consequences of new comers getting elected to top posts. They did once with Gota and took the country to the brink of destruction. Now same people are planning to vote people whose leftist policies have failed miserably in the whole world. Can these people bring the stolen money already invested in foreign countries? Is it such a simple task? Will the IMF which is financed by mainly western countries support them? This is not a time for experimenting. Only experienced and able politicians can lead the country to prosperity at this crucial moment.
Wiraj Wednesday, 10 January 2024 04:07 PM
Will the NPP apologists answer as to why NPP wanted to take cue from the success of Aragalaya and tried capturing the parliament? Can one imagine the chaos without an elected govt. (however bad it maybe) during times of acute shortages and bankruptcy? No one would have come forward to support and all will be still living in darkness.
PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE Wednesday, 10 January 2024 09:42 PM
I predict if RANIL wins, you can be rest assured that a couple of RAJAPASKE'S will be given positions in the CABINET. After a SHORT stay he will retire and a RAJAPASKE will take his place and RUWAN will end up as PM and/ or get a MINISTRY. I foresee, SLPP with JOIN with UNP probably with a deal that X amount of their members get CABINET positions. I am PRAYING that ALL CITIZENS irrespective of their differences VOTE WITH YOUR GOD GIVEN BRAINS, AS THE SUFFERING we all have had since landing in A SINK HOLE CONTINUES. PROMISES AND MORE PROMISES FLOW PUBLICLY BEFORE ANY ELECTION, SO DO NOT FALL FOR THE SWEET TALK. ALL CANDIDATES SHOULD BE JUDGED ON THEIR PAST PERFORMANCE AND NOT ON THEIR PROMISES. "OH LORD GUIDE ALL CITIZENS TO VOTE FOR THOSE WHO WILL MAKE A CHANCE, BRING ALL THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COUNTRY'S DOWNFALL BEFORE A COURT OF LAW, ALL ILLGOTTEN MONEY AND PROPERTY ARE CONFISCATED SO ALL CITIZENS GET THE JUSTICE THEY SO RIGHTLY DESERVE.
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