SLFP streamlining party machinery JO, no threat

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

In a bid to strengthen the SLFP's party mechanism, the recent Chief Ministers discussion with former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga revolved around taking the party forward and ways and means of streamlining the party machinery targeting the 2020 General Election. However, the Joint Opposition(JO) did not seem to pose a threat. "It was the UNP that posed a threat," Western Province Chief Minister Isura Devapriya said.

This was the third round of discussions held with former President Kumaratunga to strengthen the party mechanism and was attended by some party stalwarts such as SLFP General Secretary Minister Duminda Dissanayake and UPFA General Secretary Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, the Chief Minister told the Sunday Observer.

Although, the SLFP is a stakeholder of the National Unity Government, it is obvious that the Government is largely handled by the UNP.

SLFPers at the grassroot level harboured mixed sentiments about the Yahapalana concept he said.

"Those in the JO have anti-UNP sentiments, not anti-Maithri sentiments. Even former President Mahinda Rajapaksa or the JO will not form a separate political party or contest the upcoming Local Government polls separately. Under President Maithripala Sirisena, the SLFP- led UPFA coalition would definitely win the forthcoming Local Government Elections, the Chief Minister said.

"Our common enemy is the UNP, not the JO. Even though, the late actor-turned politician Vijaya Kumaratunga formed the Sri Lanka Mahajana Party in 1984, eventually they too joined the SLFP. Chandrika Kumaratunga became the Western Province Chief Minister and President on the SLFP ticket. Similarly, Basil Rajapaksa too became a Minister as an SLFPer. It would be a disaster to launch separate political parties, apart from the two major blocks as it is the SLFP and the UNP that is competing,"he said.

At present discussions were underway at various fora to reconcile the crisis-ridden SLFP factions. To those in the JO, it is qite clear that except for Mahinda Rajapaksa no other Rajapaksas could form a formidable political force. Devapriya said former Minister Basil Rajapaksa had negotiated a deal with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

"It will take time for the SLFPers at grassroot level to realise its gravity. Until such time, Basil Rajapaksa will enact this drama. The Rajapaksas deceived the ordinary SLFPers for over 11 years and the masses will be enlightened as to who made deals with the UNP," he said.