Sirisena May Opt To Stay Neutral In General Elections

By P.K.Balachandran | Express News Service

COLOMBO: Given the enormous pressure he is under to give party nominations to discredited former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his corrupt cohorts to fight the August 17 General Elections, President Maithripala Sirisena is feeling helpless, say civil society activists who met him on Wednesday.

When the activists vehemently protested against the grant of nomination to Rajapaksa, Sirisena told them that he was “isolated” in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA), of which the SLFP is part. He said that he had no option but to go by the wishes of the majority.

The SLFP as well as the UPFA have been clamoring for Rajapaksa because he is thought to be necessary to win the elections, given the support he supposedly enjoys in the majority Sinhalese-Buddhist community.

However, at the end of the meeting, Sirisena told the activists that he would make an important statement after July 13, the last date for filing nominations, but gave no hint as to what it might be.

Activists expect Sirisena to say that he will be neutral in the elections and let the people decide who they want to see as Prime Minister of the country. On his part, he will only appeal to the voter to keep in mind the March 12 Declaration signed by political parties.

March 12 Declaration

In the March 12 Declaration, all parties had pledged not to give nominations to  candidates who had been to jail for a criminal offense; were proven guilty of corruption; had traded in alcohol, drugs, gambling and prostitution; indulged in activities destructive of the environment; abused political power; or entered into financial agreements or been party to agreements detrimental to the interests of the country.

The Declaration was subsequently signed by one million Lankans and was presented to political parties at a mass rally in Colombo on July 6 by the “March 12 Movement.”

If Sirisena makes an appeal based on the March 12 Declaration, it will be deemed to be a signal to vote against Rajapaksa and his cohorts. The appeal may be couched in general terms so that it does not sound partisan.

Confusion in Sirisena Camp

At present, confusion reigns in the Sirisena faction of the SLFP. Sirisena’s followers are clueless about his plans. All they see is his inability to stop the Rajapaksa Juggernaut within the party and the country as a whole.

Some are contemplating seeking nomination from the United National Party (UNP). There is also talk of seeking an alliance with the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU).