Thursday, 25 September 2014 00:04
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Politics can be an unpredictable animal at the best of times. Fresh from its gains at the Uva Provincial Council polls, the United National Party (UNP) on Tuesday made a slew of new appointments to continue the momentum received from the latest vote count. But are they adequately equipped for the hardest work that lies ahead?
The reinstatement of Hambantota District MP Sajith Premadasa as the party’s Deputy Leader was the highlight of the Working Committee meeting. Vocal Premadasa critic, Ravi Karunanayake was appointed UNP Assistant Leader.
Harin Fernando who quit his Parliament seat to give the UNP a boost in the Uva provincial election has been appointed Chairman of the UNP National Youth Front. National List legislator and the party’s organiser for Colombo East and Borella, Eran Wickremaratne was appointed UNP Treasurer. Parliamentarian Akila Viraj Kariyawasam was appointed Deputy General Secretary. Ranjith Madummabandara was made Senior Vice President and Thalatha Athukorala was named Secretary of Election Affairs.
The new appointments are aimed at uniting warring factions within the party, which is largely divided into the Ranil and Sajith camps. During his previous stint as Deputy Leader, Premadasa locked horns with Wickremesinghe over accusations he was not a team player. With a hotly and likely dirtily contested presidential election creeping closer, there is no room for such personal tiffs.
The UNP at large seems to understand that this is their long-awaited chance to get back in the game and be counted as a strong Opposition. If they lose this chance at the upcoming presidential polls, which will likely be followed by general elections, they will have to wait on the sidelines for six more years before finding the light again. A time that President Mahinda Rajapaksa will not let pass lightly.
The party also has to come together on strategy and policy making, putting together their professionals to come up with a viable economic strategy based on inclusivity and sustainable development that will show the people exactly what a UNP Government would achieve for them. It would also be the best way to counter the massive infrastructure projects initiated by the Government and maximise on dissatisfaction of repeated Budgets reducing social spending on healthcare and education.
Reaching out to the rural masses would also be the most effective way of breaking the two-thirds majority enjoyed by the ruling party and many argue would be more effective than attempting to abolish the executive presidency.
A people-centric policy that will at once address social security and human rights would be a strong foundation in an election battle. The UNP has an image of standing for balance of power, free media, transparency, secularism and good governance. All the elements Sri Lanka desperately needs both within its borders and internationally. Flush from its stronger relations with countries like China, the Government will use whatever funds it can get to push forward its development agenda for votes. This is where the strongest battle lines will be drawn.
With the United Nations Human Rights Council sessions looming in March, the Government has rapidly shrinking time. Many believe snap presidential polls will take place as early as January. In any case, the UNP cannot afford to put a step wrong in its battle for revival.
