SLPP calls for plastic and mudslinging-free campaign

• Pledges to create new political culture 
• Says GR will not response to political mudslinging

By Nuwan Senarathna  

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday invited all presidential candidates to conduct campaigns that are free of plastic and political mudslinging as it could lead to the formation of a new political culture in the country.

Speaking to media at the Viyathmaga Head Office in Ethul Kotte, SLPP spokesman MP Dullas Alahapperuma said they were attempting to introduce new political culture through a plastic-free election campaign.

Alahapperuma said the country needs a new political culture that fits the expectations of the modern voter. He pointed out most of the developed nations follow plastic and mudslinging-free political campaigns.

“Our presidential candidate has said that he would introduce and conduct an environment-friendly campaign. As a political party, we have understood how climate change might affect Sri Lanka. Currently we see that one part of the country is affected by drought and another part by floods. This is an issue we are looking forward to addressing once we come into power,” he said.

Alahapperuma stressed the SLPP had informed all of their grassroots level supporters to respect their candidate’s policies and not to use any plastics. However, he noted the party will use posters to notify people of their rallies.

He opined that the SLPP presidential candidate was attempting to move away from a conventional election campaign. According to Alahapperuma, Gotabaya Rajapaksa did not criticise any of his opponents during his speeches, which he argued can be seen as a new development in Sri Lankan politics.

“Gotabaya Rajapaksa did not sling mud at anyone at any point. From the beginning of his campaign, he talked about his policies and his plans to address economic challenges. He was very confident about his policies and never insulted his opponents.”

Speaking to media, MP Wimal Weerawansa charged the United National Party (UNP) was following an outdated political mudslinging campaign but that the SLPP will not respond to their allegations. According to Weerawansa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa will only speak of his policies and he will not waste his time on what he termed “baseless accusations”.