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Election buzz begins with pocket meetings, alliance talks in the offing
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya
With less than a month to go for the Election Commission’s announcement of the dates for the presidential elections, political parties and alliances are stepping up their campaign activities.
Although some parties are yet undecided on their candidates, they are engaged in activities such as internal party discussions and pocket meetings to attract voters.
United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara told the Sunday Times that the party was setting up organisations islandwide and preparations were underway to select organisers.
He said they were focusing on the presidential election, and discussions were being held to set up a broad political alliance, with some parties having come to an understanding with the party.
“Not only members of the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), but other parties too are having discussions with us. Accordingly, we will carry out our activities to obtain victory,” he said.
It is widely believed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will come forward as a common candidate, although no formal announcement has been made.
NPP meeting at Dehiattakandiya
Even though the UNP claims that the SJB is holding discussions with the party, the SJB denies this.
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told the Sunday Times that the party was carrying out its own programme to strengthen the party.
“At the moment, the SJB is in a strong position, and that is why the UNP and other parties are trying to damage our party image,” he said.
“Our presidential candidate is Sajith Premadasa, and we are working towards making a broad alliance with other political parties to face the election. Several parties have indicated that they would like to join us, and the names will be revealed at the appropriate time,” he added.
The JVP-led alliance, the National People’s Power (NPP), is also laying the groundwork to attract voters.
SLPP meeting at Biyagama
The NPP is carrying out a series of meetings islandwide, targeting the youth, the working class, businessmen, and the public.
JVP Media Spokesman Vijitha Herath said the party would be contesting the presidential election as the NPP, and the party’s candidate would be Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The NPP said they are using digital and social media platforms to reach the youth.
The Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP), which has yet to decide whether it will field its own candidate or support another candidate, plans to kickstart a series of electoral meetings today.
SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam told the Sunday Times that they would prioritise digital platforms to attract voters.
“Digital campaigns play an important role in our campaigns, and such tasks are taken on by young party members such as Namal Rajapaksa,” he said.
The General Secretary said they were focused on creating a government and a president. However, as a court order is due to be given on local government elections, they were readying the SLPP to face any election, local, general, or presidential.
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), which is divided into different fractions, did not have a common plan on how to go forward. The faction supporting former President Maitripala Sirisena is making plans to face the upcoming presidential election as the SLFP, with Miniter Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as the likely candidate.
Political parties turning to digital platforms
The party’s acting general secretary, Sarathie Dushmantha, said that Mr. Sirisena and Mr. Rajapaksha were holding meetings with provincial council members islandwide.
“We are planning to meet provincial council members at the electorate level. We are planning to have our meeting in Kandy today,” he said.
He added that, despite court cases, they are going ahead with plans to face elections.
Mr. Dushmantha added that they have not yet officially declared Mr. Rajapakshe as their presidential candidate. However, the faction is planning to obtain approval from the party’s central committee, the politburo and the samasthalanka karaka sabawa.
The other faction, which is supporting Nimal Siripala de Silva’s leadership, appeared to have a different course of action.
SJB meeting in Anuradhapura
Meanwhile, several parties and political groups plan to come together to face the upcoming elections. One such new group is the Sarwajana Balaya, which comprises the National Freedom Front, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, the Democratic Left Front, the Sri Lanka Communist Party, the Yukthiya National Organisation, an independent group of MPs led by Channa Jayasumana, and the Mawbima Janatha Party.
These parties signed a memorandum of understanding three weeks ago. The Mawbima Janatha Party also held its first rally in Nugegoda on June 18. The party plans to hold its district convention at Ampara Town Hall at 2.30 pm today.
A member of the group, Gewindu Cumaratunge, told the Sunday Times that the MoU they signed was not a final agreement.
The Frontline Socialist Party has made an alliance with the Jana Aaragalaya organization. The alliance’s Publicity Secretary, Pubudu Jagoda, explained that the alliance comprised a few parties and Araglaya activists. They have not yet decided on a presidential candidate.
New alliance: Sarwajana Balaya holds meeting in Nugegoda. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
He said they were currently holding discussions on formulating a short- and long-term policy framework.
Northern parties are also divided, with some planning to support a common candidate and others supporting political party candidates.
Gajendra Kumar of the Tamil National People’s Front said that they would not support any party.
The Eelam People’s Democratic Party will be supporting President Wickremesinghe.
Parties, including the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation, the People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam, and the Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front, are pushing for a common Tamil candidate. The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi is also likely to support a common candidate, sources say, although the Tamil National Alliance, of which the ITAK is the main member, has in recent weeks held talks with SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Jaffna.
Additional reporting by Loha Thayalan.
UNP party meeting at Sirikotha
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