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The NEC, which has been in touch with different state agencies, including health authorities, is satisfied with the stepped-up preventive measures now being taken. This is at the highest levels of the government. Hence, the NEC believes any change in the plans it has embarked on would not be necessary. The same view is shared by government leaders. On Wednesday, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa chaired a top-level meeting where a detailed assessment was carried out. Further contingency measures were formulated. It was also decided to “appeal to hotel owners for voluntary assistance” to use their premises as “quarantine centres.” Though there are no givers so far, the move is purely in the long-term in the unlikely event of a spread of the deadly virus.

In another major preventive move, visitors from Britain, France, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands’ and Austria have been temporarily banned from visiting Sri Lanka.

At least one major political outfit, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) led Sri Lanka Nidhas Podujana Sandanaya (SLNPS), is on high gear and has even finalised most of its candidates. It is different in the case of the United National Party (UNP) which formally split in two just last week. UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told the Sunday Times, “We have appointed a Nomination Board chaired by our leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe. Other members are Chairman Kabir Hashim, Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayake, National Organiser Navin Dissanayake and Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara.

Kariyawasam’s reference to Premadasa and his loyalists Hashim and Maddumabandara on the UNP Nomination Board is clearly a tactical move or a political trap. The Premadasa faction has already parted ways from the UNP, with the formation of the alliance, approved by the UNP’s Working Committee. Disciplinary action against him and allies now hinges on the SJB symbol. At a ceremony at the Water’s Edge in Battaramulla on Thursday, Premadasa formally announced that his SJB symbol would be a Telephone. The declaration came in the presence of partner leaders. In this backdrop, his participation in the UNP Nomination Board, which is not expected, would have amounted to his acceptance of the elephant symbol, something which he has now chosen to ignore. The two feuding factions are yet to finalise their list of candidates. Believe it or not, behind the scenes consultations by the two sides, by different parties, still continue but any rapprochement is most unlikely.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya leader Sajith Premadasa addressing a Water’s Edge meeting where he announced the alliance’s symbol would be the Telephone. Pic by Amila Gamaga

One of the proposals for a ‘kiss and make up’ carried out by an interlocutor was for Wickremesinghe to step down as leader. He was to be replaced by former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. After UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam steps down, it was proposed that a successor, a non-political person be brought to that office. The move, however, did not receive approval of Wickremesinghe loyalists who argued that the change of leadership “was in no way a negotiable factor.” Various other proposals have been pitched by interlocutors but “forward movement” is virtually nil, said one source familiar with the last-minute efforts.

On the other hand, should there be a “conditional agreement,” it would still take days before they work out the contours, including a possible Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). With the acrimony already created by the divide, such a case could be studded with obstacles and suspicion. This is besides joint decisions on candidates, with an escalation in the tussle for their respective nominees.

The issue has now been exacerbated with SJB General Secretary, Maddumabandara telling the ceremony at Water’s Edge in Battaramulla where the Telephone symbol was launched, “We were deceived many a time with the promise of a common symbol. We waited for weeks in trust and hope. But this did not materialise.”  The ceremony was also attended by former Kalutara District SLFP/SLPP parliamentarian Kumara Welgama. Premadasa has been cautious with words. He has held a string of news conferences but avoided making references to the internal feuding. This is much to the irritation of partner parties. One was to criticise the government over the failure to reduce fuel prices. Another was on the issue of novel coronavirus and the measures taken by the government. Whether this is still in the hope of a settlement whilst going ahead with rituals is unclear. Premadasa is struggling very hard not to part from the UNP. Premadasa told the same meeting that they chose the Telephone symbol to ensure victory but did not go into detail.

To that extent, Premadasa finds himself trapped. On the one side are his partner parties with whom he has signed MoUs. Most of them would prefer the elephant symbol that could easily draw them the UNP vote. However, that could be at a cost for the UNP which is bound to impose conditions in return for its symbol. Moreover, the SJB has already chosen the Telephone and held an official ceremony to announce it. Thus, in the wake of what the UNP has to offer or not offer, he finds himself in an unenviable position. This has added to the frustration of partner parties who are kept in suspense day by day and week by week.

In marked contrast, UNP leader Wickremesinghe has armed himself with evidence which he could deal with Premadasa and loyalists. “We would be forced to take disciplinary action if any member acts against the party constitution,” Kariyawasam said. When someone takes membership in another party, he said, they cease to be members of the UNP. “We will have to expel them if they violate party discipline,” he said. (See Q & A in box story)

With regard to the SLPP’s tie-up with the SLFP, former President Maithripala Sirisena’s recent utterances did not come up as an issue. He let off a barrage about an eagle snatching away a fish caught by a cormorant. He signed as number three candidate on the SLPP list for the Polonnaruwa district after Roshan Ranasinghe. Signing as number one and District Leader was Siripala Gamlath, a rice dealer and businessman. Sirisena did not seek to be appointed as the “District Leader.” Though Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was in favour of his appointment, there are others who did not support the move.

The SLNPS partner leaders had a marathon six-hour session from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Thursday to finalise their candidates. Only a few names in some districts remain to be filled. Among those who took part were: SLPP – Chamal Rajapaksa, Dullas Allahapperuma and Prasanna Ranatunga. SLFP – Maithripala Sirisena, Dayasiri Jayasekera and Mahinda Amaraweera. MEP – Dinesh Gunawardena and Sisira Jayakody. CP – D.E.W. Gunasekera.  LSSP – Tissa Vitharana. DLF – Vasudeva Nanayakkara.  NFF – Jayanath Samaraweera and Mohamed Muzzamil.

In all, barring a few gives or takes, the total number of SLPP candidates in the fray will be 291 and 29 more on the national list. The SLPP will have 56 percent or 165 candidates. The SLFP got 30 candidates, the NFF 12, MEP 8, Ceylon Workers Congress 8, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya 4, Communist Party four, LSSP 4 and DLF 4. The Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya and the Deshavimukthi Janatha Peramuna will also be entitled to field four candidates each.

Also given tickets to contest under the Pohottuwa symbol are the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) four, Ranaviru Sankalpaya four, Viyath Maga four and Kandy Professionals Association four. These candidates have been accommodated on the basis of the government’s policy of giving professionals an opportunity to contest. Soon after the names of the candidates were picked, they were reached by telephone for their consent. Such calls have also been made earlier.

SLPNS General Secretary Basil Rajapaksa has told candidates contesting the parliamentary elections that in keeping with the National Election Commission directive, only the photograph of their leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and the “district leader” should be displayed in offices. (See box story for his Q & A). Just days before the dissolution of Parliament, the President’s Media Unit declared that he did not want his photographs displayed in public places.  Moreover, President Rajapaksa does not hold any political office. During his regular news conferences, when asked about his role, he declared that he would appear on stage in the SLPP election campaign.

For one of the two main contenders, the UNP has been embroiled in a bitter internecine battle. The faction which has chosen to go its own way made another major move that confirmed it was now a different entity. That is when Sajith Premadasa’s Samagi Jana Balaya (SJB) moved into a new office building, barely a kilometre away from Srikotha, the UNP office along Kotte Road. Thus, the Premadasa faction has chosen to dissociate itself from the UNP’s office. Of course, there was further proof earlier, when an event at Waters Edge saw the Telephone being adopted as their symbol. This is without the concurrence of the UNP’s Working Committee which approved the move for Premadasa to set up an alliance and to be its leader.

The four storied SJB office, once used by Keangnam, a South Korean construction firm, is located next to a Chinese seafood restaurant. Located on the first floor is General Secretary Maddumabandara’s office and a room for news conferences. Premadasa’s office is on the third floor.

Among those who took part in the building’s opening ceremony were Gayantha Karunatilleke, Chandrani Bandara, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Ashok Abeysinghe, P. Harrison, Ajith B. Perera, A.H.M. Fowzie and Rajitha Senaratne. One of his first tasks was to garland a portrait of his father, the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa. UNP Chairman Kabir Hashim had excused himself from Premadasa saying he had to attend a political event in Kegalle.

In his speech, Premadasa lost no time in reminding those present that “during the meeting held on January 30, 2020, the UNP Working Committee unanimously decided to contest the upcoming election as an alliance.  Within the same day, the WC unanimously decided that I should be the leader of the alliance as well as the Prime Ministerial candidate cum Chairman of the Nomination Board.  They also empowered me to appoint a General Secretary for the alliance. “Everyone should understand,” Premadasa said, “we are implementing the programme that was approved by the UNP. We have the right to move forward with this programme. The rest of the representatives of the people, local government, pradeshiya sabha, provincial councils or Members of Parliament should not fear. All they have to do is join the Samagi Jana Balavegaya.”

However, UNP General Secretary Kariyawasam said in a Q & A with the Sunday Times, “According to the constitution of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya, anyone joining them has to resign from the UNP membership. There are many legal issues in that constitution.” He said, “We took every effort to contest without breaking our party. This is by contesting as one group with no divisions. We are still trying to do that and have not stopped our efforts.” However, he said, “we see a few associates who surround Premadasa are responsible for causing the split. They are a group who cannot contest an election and win. This is why we decided to contest separately under the elephant symbol to preserve the party identity.”

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara countered Kariyawasam’s claim. He said, “It is a few who are there (with the UNP) who cannot win elections and have placed the party in peril. We are paying a heavy price for it.” See his Q & A in box story.

The parliamentary election campaign kicks off after noon on Thursday when the nominations close. In the North and the East, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will field candidates. The main parties are in the process of finalising their list. Also busy with its nomination list is the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna which, in marketing terms, is contesting under a new name – National People’s Power.

SLPP and alliance leader Mahinda Rajapaksa told the Sunday Times he was confident of a comfortable victory. He said “We can get 127 to 130 but are campaigning for even more.”

For all the parties contesting the April 25 parliamentary elections, there is an unforeseen challenge too. That is the scourge of novel coronavirus. A lot will depend on the preventive measures of the government. A slackening would only mean restrictions on gatherings, but the government wants to prevent it.

Akila Viraj Kariyawasam Akila: UNP membership will cease for SJB candidates United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam says his party will field candidates in all 22 districts. Here is a Q & A: Why the UNP is fielding its own candidates whilst rivals will do so separately: Both groups are at a disadvantage if we contest separately. That is why we are trying to unite the party. I even was ready to step down from the party’s general secretary position to get them to contest under the elephant symbol.  I was ready to allow them to appoint someone of their liking as General Secretary if there were any issue with me. I personally don’t think there is any issue with me.  I know different groups are trying to divide us in order to enter parliament through national lists, become district organisers and get party positions. As UNP General Secretary I work according to working committee decisions. I announce the decision which was made with the approval of most of the party members. Some blame our group, but we are trying to protect our party.  But we behave as responsible politicians and always appeared on behalf of most of the party and working committee decision. Yes, we officially informed the Election Commissioner that UNP is contesting in 22 electoral districts. We tried so many days to resolve issues. However, they still have a chance to join us and take a decision. Jathika Samagi Jana Balawegaya did not even have a party symbol. Only recently it legally acquired a party symbol. It had created the party by buying a registered party “Ape Jathika Peramuna” and gave it a symbol which it acquired from another party. List of the nominations:  “Professionals of different sectors have requested nominations from us. We have not yet finalised the list; therefore we have not decided on a date to handover nominations. Disciplinary action against all UNP MPs: Yes, we would be forced to take disciplinary action if any member works against the party constitution. If someone obtains membership of another party, his or her UNP membership would automatically cease. Highlights of the UNP campaign: We are planning to carry out our election campaign differently. Due to the current coronavirus situation, we would have to limit huge meetings and rallies. Our campaign would be more focused on preserving our party identity. We will remind the people of the work done by the UNP government during our campaign. We will point out the difference between the UNP and the present government. We would point out the failures of this government after it took over. The present government is unable to reduce fuel prices though global market prices have come down. But previously, we were able to reduce Rs 33 from a litre of petrol. When will your manifesto be ready? Can you please explain the highlights of your manifesto? We have not issued a manifesto; in future we will decide on the manifesto and what would be included in it.  We will discuss with our party heads on key points that would be included in the manifesto. A UNP victory at the parliamentary elections: The UNP as a party is planning to get the highest number of seats. We would go from house to house and educate people and achieve our goal. From there, we would carry out our work plan to form a government. We would strengthen our party and move forward. We cannot say anything now about the Premadasa faction. The election campaign should begin to give a comment on that. The people will decide that. Even after the campaigning starts, the situation could change momentarily. It is only during the campaign, can we say who will have a better chance. The UNP is not concentrating on preferential votes; our goal is to bring victory to the elephant symbol.  Elephant is the UNP brand name. We are carrying out our campaign to achieve victory under the elephant symbol. Prospects of unity between the two UNP factions after parliamentary elections: I don’t think party supporters will allow people who damage the party to join again.  If a group leaves the party to contest separately, they will damage the party. Though it had not yet happened, however once the damage is done the supporters would not allow them back. Our young party leaders say if they contest separately, we will completely rebuild our party and work for the 2025 elections.

Madduma Bandara: 90 percent of UNP members in Sajith alliance Ranjith Madduma Bandara Samagi Jana Balavegaya General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the alliance had informed the National Election Commission of fielding candidates in all 22 districts. Here is a Q & A: Why the SJB is  contesting on its own: We are not contesting on our own, we are contesting as an alliance; we are acting according to the UNP Working Committee decision.  The UNP Working Committee decided to contest the election as a broad alliance. We are the UNP too, 90 percent of the UNP is with our alliance. We are UNP and we are following the working committee decisions. The SJB nomination board:  We have picked a nomination board; some of the members are Sajith Premadasa (Chairman), Malik Samarawickrema, Mangala Samaraweera, Imtiaz Bakeer Markar and Lakshman Kiriella. Around 90 percent of our nomination list is ready.  We have finalised the nomination lists for 10 districts. We plan to finalise the nominations tomorrow. On action against them by the UNP: The UNP cannot act against us. We are following the working committee decisions.  The few who are remaining there are the ones who are working against the working committee decision. They are the ones who are breaking the party law. They should join us. Our doors are still open for them. However, if they contest alone the people will give them the reply they deserve at the general election. On victory at the polls: The present government has failed on major issues; therefore, we are confident that we will win more votes. If the UNP contests separately we will have more votes than it, but still the UNP has time to join us. Handing over the nominations: We will hand over nominations on March 18 or 19.  Our first election rally will be in Kandy, but a date has not yet been fixed.   Basil Rajapaksa Basil: SLPP partner parties will campaign on their own Partner parties contesting under the Pohottuwa symbol will conduct their own campaigns for the April 25 parliamentary elections, Sri Lanka Podujana Nidhahas Peramuna General Secretary Basil Rajapaksa said yesterday. Here is a Q & A: On the polls campaign: We will make sure it is environment friendly. All district organisations have been directed to follow this to ensure a carbon neutral campaign. Our campaign began at with the presidential election in November last year. We will make clear that we will deliver on pledges we made. Some require parliament approval. List of candidates: We have picked on a cross section of society to be our candidates. We have veteran politicians and professionals. We also have a few members of the clergy, but they have not been picked on the basis of religion. They have been in the field of politics. We are also fielding professionals from different spheres. It took us a day to finalise our candidates. We had earmarked them before and sounded them out. There are still a few slots in some districts and we will fill them soon. We have advised our candidates to ensure discipline and not to criticise each other in public. Party offices: We will strictly adhere to the measures laid down by the National Election Commission. We will have offices in the districts. They will only display photographs of our leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and the candidate who is the district leader. There will be no other offices though our campaign staff will be busy. On a manifesto: We have still not prepared one. It will be done based on the manifesto we presented the people before the presidential election.