Single presidential candidate from SLFP-SLPP alliance: MR
Posted on January 4th, 2019
Lahiru Pothmulla Courtesy The Daily Mirror
Former president and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday they would field a single presidential candidate from an alliance formed by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and others.
He said this after assuming duties in the New Year at his office at the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) head office in Battaramulla.
When asked about their presidential candidate Mr. Rajapaksa said they would not field two candidates.
We will reveal who the candidate is at the right time. Now we are trying to form a broad alliance. We will all get together and field one candidate instead of two. As SLFP Chairman, President Maithripala Sirisena is strengthening the SLFP. This will not be an obstacle to form an alliance,” he said.
Responding to reports that former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga may join the United National Party (UNP) together with 18 SLFPers, Mr. Rajapaksa said he did not think the SLFP MPs would do so.
If they joined the UNP, it would only intensify whatever the internal issues the UNP already has and we are not going to field Ms. Kumaratunga as our presidential candidate,” he said and added that they would fulfil the role of the opposition in parliament with or without the office allocated for the opposition leader and other facilities.
Mr. Rajapaksa said 2019 would be an election year and it was vital to strengthen their political camp to face them.
Commenting on the 50-day government they formed at the end of last year, he said there were mixed reactions from the people over the move.
Some say it was a good move and others have opposing views. Had we waited till an election, national assets would have been sold and a constitution with federalist features would have been adopted. Since the SLFP was also with the government, they enjoyed the majority in parliament. The SLFP’s decision to break away from the government is a victory we achieved,”
January 4th, 2019 at 4:07 pm
It must be Sirisena. Otherwise he will contest separately. Then the UNP wins easily.
It helps Mahinda too. Mahinda wants Namal to become president in 2024. If Gotabaya or Basil becomes president in 2019 it cannot happen. So for Mahinda it is best to help Sirisena in 2019 and wait his time for Namal.
January 4th, 2019 at 8:14 pm
We do not know what India and Indian Colonial Parasites are up to? In 2010 they put Fonseka and 2015 Sirisena.
January 4th, 2019 at 11:40 pm
Sirisena? Unless Sri Lanka is so bankrupt of future Leaders. Sirisena is a failure, he has become a laughing stock. He is not Presidential material, talk too much, nervous, confused and lacking self confidence.
Making Sirisena a Presidential candidate by Mahinda Rajapakse will make UNP, TNA and more importantly the Bell Group JVP very happy. We do not want a puppet at this time, there are plenty already groomed in the pipeline.
Sirisena will be quite happy to find another ceremonial role.
January 5th, 2019 at 4:21 am
Agree with MDP.
Sirisena will be good for Vinodasamaya only.
But thanks to stupid move by Mahinda, Sirisena will be the candidate and it is very likely a UNP president this time.
Time to join him for an IndiAappa dinner and declare he is not the candidate next day morning.
January 5th, 2019 at 1:04 pm
One to represent all factions, I say
January 5th, 2019 at 1:55 pm
Time to all Sinhalese to get together and remove Palaath Sabha ( UNP will not do it, you have to push hard MR to do it, if he can win a government).
Let the last EP be a joker. Remove EP after removal of PS and 13A of Indian Colonial Parasites.
If you keep on supporting MR unconditionally, you spoil him, make his head too big thus making him another ICP. It is you who are doing this heinous crime, I say.
January 5th, 2019 at 3:12 pm
Of course Sirisena is a failure. But he will not step aside. He is yet another greedy politician.
If he is not given nominations from SLFP-SLPP he will still contest and divide the Sinhala vote. He may get 5% to 10%. But that is sufficient to deny SLPP the win. He will be very happy to do so to help Sajith who he tried 10 times to make PM.
SLPP must split permanently from the SLFP now. If that means Mahinda and other JO MPs losing their parliamentary seats, so be it. Take that risk. Playing safe won’t help SLPP.
Otherwise Mahinda camp must help Sirisena win again or witness a UNP win. Also Mahinda should hand over leadership to whatever group he leads to another before it is too late. He is in very bad health these days.