Schism in the SLFP?:

Mahinda being made a stooge by smaller parties - Minister Duminda Dissanayake

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

Refuting claims that there are two factions within the SLFP, Irrigation and Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake said he doesn't think former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as a veteran politician who ruled the country for over nine years, would make any attempt to create divisions within the SLFP or prevent the party's second rung leadership getting into the next step.

The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said a certain faction within the UPFA, which cannot face an election without aligning with the UPFA are trying to survive under the pretext of bring back the former President.

Q: Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's faction argues that bringing local bodies under special commissioners is a UNP gimmick to strengthen its vote base in the country. Do you agree with this?

A: We should be thankful to President Maithripala Sirisena for extending the tenure of local bodies by another one and half months. What should really happen is that the elections should be held on the due date.

The dates of the elections should not be changed haphazardly for the benefit of one party while another is at a disadvantage. If the UNP thinks bringing local bodies under a special commissioner will increase their vote base, there is no reason whatsoever to make it happen.

Q: Do you think the Maithripala Sirisena and the Mahinda Rajapaksa factions could be reconciled to win a future General Election?

A: I don't admit that there are two factions within the SLFP, because former President Mahinda Rajapaksa voluntarily handed over the SLFP chairmanship to President Maithripala Sirisena.

What the former President always told us was that there is an opportunity even for the average man in the SLFP to reach the top. I don't think the former President as a veteran politician who ruled the country for over nine years would make any attempt to create divisions within the SLFP or prevent the party's second rung leadership getting into the next step.

Certain small parties within the SLFP led UPFA cannot engage in politics without aligning with the UPFA. Those parties attempt to bring the former President Rajapaksa into the forefront and create a separate force. I don't think the former President is expecting any portfolio at the future election as he is a leader who has made a lot of sacrifice on behalf of the country and his party.

Q: Is there any truth in Mahinda faction's allegation that the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) is politicised and engaged in a witch-hunt?

A: It is fair for the UPFA to come to such a conclusion. Except from 2001 to 2004, the SLFP led UPFA governments were in power from 1994 to 2014. If any mistake or shortcoming was made, it was mainly within the UPFA Governments.

If somebody talks about any fraud or malpractice, they may think that there were more avenues to make it happen during the tenure of former UPFA governments.

But I suggest that we also had information on such frauds and malpractices that occurred during the tenure of UNP from 2001 to 2004.

Therefore, we should also submit such information and complain to the FCID.

Q: Do you believe that the Maithri- Mahinda talks could end up successfully or die a 'natural death' ?

A: After the President accepted the party chairmanship, he has given more democratic outlook to the party. During the Maithri-Mahinda talks, the President categorically stated this matter will be referred to the SLFP Central Committee to take a decision. As a SLFPer, I am happy about the interest shown on the part of President for the discussion. I believe these talks will be successful. But if those who represent the former President's faction are not sincere , we could do nothing.

Q: Anuradhapura is a SLFP bastion. Do you think the SLFP could win this seat at a future General Election with its votes split between Maithri and Mahinda factions?

A: In future too, the Anuradhapura district will be a SLFP bastion. This split will not make any effect on the SLFP's vote base in the Anuradhapura district. If the new electoral system is introduced, some small parties will disappear.

Then small groups coming under major political parties will have to decide whether they should be within that party or function as a separate group. The UNP and the SLFP will have to decide because, if they win the election, they will only get one MP.

Q: Would you think efforts of bringing Chandrika-Mahinda- Maithri together at political fora would ever succeed as they differ radically in politics and attitudes?

A: Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga became the President in 1994. She is a leader who cannot be forgotten by the SLFP as she gave the leadership to put an end to 17 years UNP regime. She nominated Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2005 to contest the Presidential Election.

As a result, he was able to become the President. In 2015, the SLFP General Secretary who contested the Presidential Election as the Common Opposition Candidate was elected as the President. Since 1994, the country has been ruled by SLFP Presidents. But the sacrifice and commitments made by these three Presidents are different.

Former President Kumaratunga toppled the UNP Government and formed a SLFP Government. That is why the SLFP has been able to continuously retain the Presidency over the past 20 years. Former President Rajapaksa gave the leadership to free the country from the clutches of terrorism. The incumbent President Sirisena could unite all communities under one banner.

Therefore, these three leaders are essential for the existence of the SLFP.

President Sirisena has kept his rival candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa at the same position of former President Kumaratunga who helped bring him to power.

When Mahinda Rajapaksa became President in 2005, he removed former President Kumaratunga from the party, despite the fact that she gave him the Presidential candidature and brought the SLFP into a victorious path in 1994.

According to the manner some UPFA constituent parties behaved during the last Presidential Election, they cannot directly deal with President Sirisena. Some of them who behaved as heroes on the political stage may be ashamed to come to the President. If someone attempts to cater to the interest of such groups, it would pave the way for a crisis.

Q: Of all SLFP politicians what made you and a few others to take the lead to make Maithri President?

A: We saw former President Rajapaksa, whom we brought into power, was taking the country in the wrong direction.

A lot of criticism were leveled against his conduct. But as party members, we could not criticize him within the party. Everyone knew the extent to which the executive powers were misused by one family. We could not see an end to the misuse of powers. We decided that since the Government we formed was on the wrong track, it was our duty to change it.

Q: The Opposition alleges that there is a serious financial crisis in the country and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said recently that the Treasury doesn't have sufficient funds to pay salaries. Your views?

A: Actually this is not our business. The Finance Minister should be held responsible for this.

It is his responsibility to find the money for the country and spend it properly. We should not take over his responsibility. The Government couldn't do what they expected due to the defeat of a financial Bill recently. I am not saying that what they did was right or wrong. But if we move on a collective path under a national government, we should extend our support to all good moves of the government.

If there is any mistake on the part of the Government, we should oppose it.