• Says Sirisena does not wish to break up SLFP

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Government Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne – Pic by Lasantha Kumara

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By Himal Kotelawala

After the Abayaramaya faction of the UPFA confirmed that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had signed nomination papers to contest in the Kurunegala District yesterday, Government Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne continued to insist that a final decision was yet to be made about giving him the ticket. 

Fielding questions at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Minister Senaratne indicated that President Maithripala Sirisena had found himself in a difficult position with regard to the nomination of his political rival. 

However, the minister expressed confidence in the President’s recent promise to safeguard the 8 January mandate.

“The President has stated quite clearly that he would not go back on the mandate entrusted to him by the people of this country. Ultimately, it is up to him to sign his approval on the final list of nominations,” he said.

Discussions with the President are still underway, he said, adding that proposals have been made to not give nominations to drug runners and individuals of questionable character.

“A majority, if not all, of the SLFP are with us. The same goes for minority parties,” he said.

According to Minister Senaratne, President Sirisena is trying to strike a delicate balance between handling this situation and safeguarding the structural integrity of his party.

“The President does not wish to be the one to break up the Sri Lanka Freedom Party,” he explained.

President Sirisena has been an active member of the SLFP for 47 years, 13 of which he served as the party’s General Secretary.

The minister further stated that the current President was a leader who believed in democracy. Referring to the forces trying to bring former President Rajapaksa back into power, he said that they were simply not used to President Sirisena’s particular brand of governance.

 “They are accustomed to being yes-men. Former presidents J.R. Jayawardene, Ranasinghe Premadasa and Mahinda Rajapaksa have gotten these people used to a certain way. And now we have a democratic leader,” he said.

Commenting on the perceived unpopularity of the President following the nomination drama, Minister Senaratne implied that the rising opposition to the move was indicative of Rajapaksa’s real chances at the upcoming polls.

 “We have noted the outpouring of vehement opposition to this nomination on social media. The President is very much aware of this. The former President should also take note,” he said.

President Sirisena was well aware of the public anger against him following his decision to grant the former President nominations, Senaratne said. “He has felt it and he is shaken by it,” the Minister told reporters. 

Still hoping against hope, the minister said that in the event Rajapaksa received a nomination to run on the UPFA ticket, he and others with him would make a decision on whether to contest or walk away. He conceded that there was a conflict of interest.

 “As a leftist at heart, for me personally, it has always been a question of country before party. My supporters and constituents in Kalutara are very much used to this, which is why they have been with me behind all my political decisions and alliances to date. We shall see what happens before making a decision on the most suitable course of action,” Senaratne said.