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UNP can’t win presidential election on its own: Champika
Jathika Hela Urumaya leader and Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, a partner of the ruling coalition, wants its predominant partner, the United National Party, to re-think fielding its own candidate at this year’s presidential elections.
Champika Ranawaka: No idea of becoming presidential candidate. Pic by Indika Handuwala
They may only gain some 2.5 million votes if they field their candidate, he told the Sunday Times. This, he said, was in marked contrast to 38 years ago when J.R. Jayewardene won resoundingly with UNP votes alone. Noting that “things have changed,” Mr. Ranawaka said “the UNP faces problems in finding a means to receive the other votes needed.”
His remarks come at a time when the UNP is embroiled in a crisis over its presidential candidate with different utterances from some senior members. One member on whose behalf a claim was staked is UNP deputy leader Sajith Premadasa. Ministers Mangala Samaraweera, Talatha Athukorale and Harin Fernando have expressed their support for him.
However, during the past many days Mr Premadasa has maintained a stoic silence with claims by some aides that it was not the most appropriate period for Premadasa astrologically.
Another contender is Speaker Karu Jayasuriya who is being strongly backed by civil society groups. He has been meeting different groups, including the Buddhist clergy, regularly. However, he has not yet publicly declared his candidacy. A third contender is said to be former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka. His aides claim he is a better match for the opposition’s former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Minister Ranawaka said the JHU had proposed a “People’s Alliance” with a defined “political programme.” Such a programme, he said, was to identify means of paying the country’s foreign debt, increase foreign exchange earnings, prevent educated people from leaving the country and stabilising security. “Without giving consideration to these issues, we cannot hope to return to power by any means,” he explained.
Asked whether the JHU would support a candidate proposed by the UNP, Minister Ranawaka said “it is difficult for us to support without knowing the UNP’s programme for democracy and policies.” He said “the people do not need cheap popularity. They cannot be fooled by claims that they would provide land, jobs and food. We are now on the edge of a financial crisis. It requires scientific governance.”
Minister Ranawaka admitted that the JHU could not put forward its own candidate “for the sake of having one.” If those favouring democratic values agree beyond basic issues, we expect to form an alliance that could go beyond the JHU,” he said.
Asked what such an alliance would be, he replied “We see the SLPP as a family. They will not be capable to improve the country. They are making statements against the United States while residing in America. There cannot be Yankee Sinhala Buddhists. Therefore, we cannot expect anything from them.”
Minister Ranawaka admitted that “we as a government failed to put an end to corruption and take action against previous cases. Even though the courts were made independent, they were not made efficient. They were also not made neutral.” He said he had no “personal idea” of becoming a presidential candidate. “I am trying to bring learned persons,” he declared.