Dilemma of SLFP
Posted on April 19th, 2015
Janaki Chandraratna Perth, Western Australia
I am at a loss to understand the dilemma of President Sirisena and the SLFP to get their act together to sort out the leadership of the party. It is very logical that the leader of the party should work for the good and success of the party. The former President offered the leadership of the SLFP to Mr. Sirisena to avoid a split in the party, although Mr. Sirisena did not contest the Presidency either from SLFP or UPFA. Mr. Sirisena, however seems to have a conflict of interest in supporting SLFP due to his gratitude to the UNP for its role in the last 6-8 months, in getting him elected as the President. One would reasonably expect Mr. Sirisena to have some gratitude to the SLFP for nurturing him for many decades as a politician as well. However, there appears to be a mismatch in the loyalties of Mr. Sirisena for the two parties concerned.
In fact President Sirisena has carried out several unconstitutional measures, either at the behest or to please the UNP leader, in the last 100 days of `Yahapalanaya’. Needless to say the silence of the so-called ‘International Community’, on these measures, indicates perhaps their commitment and support to the current regime change in Sri Lanka.
In the final analysis however, Mr. Sirisena needs to make his own mind up regarding his political party allegiance. If his loyalty to the UNP overshadows his obligation to SLFP, he should join the UNP and work for the success of that party. This applies to all SLFP MPs who hang on to ministerial positions in the current parliament and I am confident that they will be eagerly welcomed.
On the other hand the SLFP has an obligation to present the best case to the electorate so that people have the option of choosing the Govt. on policies presented. There is no doubt the mismatch of policies currently displayed by the two parties had not worked well for the country in the last 100 days. The continuation of the present uncertainty can only plunge the country into deeper economic recession and political degradation. The senior SLFP members have the obligation and responsibility to select the right leader (for there are many to choose from) to present a case to the electorate. Changing party leaders by the party caucus is a commonplace in any healthy democracy. It is shameless and selfish however, for SLFP MPs to do nothing and hang on to power to the detriment of the future of the country.
April 19th, 2015 at 5:12 pm
My3 is in a mess. His brother threatened to EXPOSE the shady deals of ARALIYA group, etc., etc. and he was killed by someone. Good governance indeed.
April 19th, 2015 at 5:40 pm
Namaste: How can a Coolie make a decision; an employee in Australia could make a decision but not in the Indian Empire. Jai Hind
April 19th, 2015 at 10:08 pm
Leech is a leech and you cannot change him how much you try to keep him in a decent place he likes the mud and this guy’s place also should be in the paddy field not in the Presidential house.
He allows Kerry,Modi,Cameron to run our affairs because he don’t have the backbone to to stand up to them. Tigers are crawling systematically to our territories one by one because of this stupid guy’s policies. We need someone who is strong to save our country soon. I hope Sinhalese will understand the gravity of the situation and unite as one and stand up to all the challengers. The politicians in the country must think first about the country than their own self at this moment. We are not here to satisfy outsiders but our own people as Sri Lankans. Unity and the nation we love is most important at this hour.
April 20th, 2015 at 4:14 am
Well said Ms. Chandraratna! We hope the SLFP are reading this and understanding the reality of what has happened to their party between the plotting by CBK and the betrayal by My3 and worst of all the greed of their own MPs to hang on to power.
The only strength left in the Sinhala Buddhist people will be in staying UNITED.