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Parties peddling promises labour to ring more doorbells
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya
Leading political parties are gearing up for the upcoming presidential election by preparing their campaigns, drafting manifestos, and setting up ground level networks.
Political party secretaries await the announcement of the date to start party propaganda supporting their candidates.
Some parties remain undecided on candidates and smaller parties are yet to decide on whom to support. Some small parties have formed alliances.
Some parties are also attempting to return to active politics, while others are fixated on winning legal battles.
With the Election Commission now empowered to call for nominations and the polling day, parties have raised the intensity of their political activities.
The United National Party (UNP) which claims to field President Ranil Wickremesinghe as presidential candidate, is strengthening the party for the elections.
UNP General Secretary, Palitha Range Bandara said after the election is called and nominations are called the party would hand over nominations. Mr Wickremesinghe is the candidate.
The UNP’s manifesto would target economic development and further stabilising of the economy improved by Ranil Wickremesinghe, he said. The manifesto would also touch many sectors which would affect the wellbeing of the country.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara told the Sunday Times that the party is ready also to face a general election.
“Our presidential candidate is Sajith Premadasa. We have planned our national, district and grassroots election campaigns. We are having meetings islandwide to strengthen our party, and gain more supporters.’’
The manifesto, now being prepared, focuses on improving the economy and education standards, he said. It is based on making the country a place where youth would like to live in, he said.
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary, Sagara Kariyawasam told the Sunday Times that the groundwork for the presidential election has been laid.
He said meetings have been held in electorates. Activities were carried out to strengthen the party. Campaign-related plans are also in place.
According to him, all district ‘bala mandala’ meetings were held last week.
“We are ready to face the election. In a week or two, we will also name our candidate,’’ he said.
The party has taken a collective decision to name the candidate at the right time. Until then, the candidate will not be revealed.
“When the election is called by the Election Commission, we will have our rallies, meetings district wise. We will separately have our media campaign using digital media platforms and traditional campaigns to reach communities in rural areas. House-to-house campaigns too, will begin when the election is announced,’’ he said.
Mr. Kariyawasam said the manifesto is more or less complete and focuses on economic development. It would not deviate from the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ ideology, seeking economic recovery by protecting national assets.
The National People’s Power (NPP) , whose presidential candidate is Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has devised ways to get the ‘floating’ voters to support him.
Propaganda Secretary, Vijitha Herath told the Sunday Times that apart from that, the NPP aims to draw in youth, generation Z.
“We plan to use unbiased digital media platforms as well as social media platforms for our campaigns. However, the NPP will also plan to carry out some campaigns targeting the usual supporters, but have given more priority to expand the number of voters by targeting youths and ‘floating’ voters.”
The manifesto, which is nearing completion, outlines economic recovery, political stability, and acting against corruption.
Mr. Herath said the group’s stance on issues such as power and energy, and agriculture have already been made public. A section of the manifesto includes ways to address climate change.
The NPP is waiting for the EC to declare the polling date to launch its manifesto.
“Without the exact election date and the time frame, we are unable to fix dates for our rallies and meetings, and plan our presidential election campaign.’’
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is also awaiting the polling date, but disputes loom large.
Dayasiri Jayasekera, General Secretary said that the party has to first settle court cases and disputes among members.
SLFP sources said party factions have been filing legal challenges against rival leaders of the party.
Meanwhile some parties are forming alliances and planning to field common candidates. The Frontline Socialist Party is one such party.
The propaganda secretary said the party will contest presidential elections as the People’s Struggle Alliance.
The alliance representing Aragalaya figures including Wasantha Mudalige and Lahiru Weerasekera, will field a presidential candidate.
“We have not reached a final decision on a candidate yet, we are having discussions,’’ he said.
The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) leader Thissa Vitharana told the Sunday Times, the party has not yet decided whom it will support.
A Sri Lanka Communist party spokesman said it is keeping its options open about which candidate to support and the politburo will decide. It is aligned with the Sarvajana Balaya.
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, leader, Udaya Gammanpila said the party is a part of the six-party combo Sarvajana Balaya including Mawbima Janatha Party, Democratic Left Front, Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (Independent MP’s Forum), Communist party, and the Yuthukama National Organisation.
The alliance candidate will be made public on 4 August once the polling date is declared by the EC. The manifesto has been launched. Election meetings are planned in all districts. The next election rallies are in Anuradhapura and Jaffna, he said.
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