Conditional nominations for MR
President Maithripala Sirisena, after lengthy negotiations with different stakeholders of the UPFA, has agreed to offer conditional nominations for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
According to conditions laid out by the President, Rajapksa should only contest from Hambanthota and he will not be named as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the UPFA. In addition, he will not be appointed as the head of the campaign or the district leader, informed party sources told the Daily News last night.
President Sirisena had also declined to give any promise that Rajapaksa would be appointed as the Prime Minister even if the UPFA secured a majority at the Parliamentary election. The President had said that a decision would be made on the Prime Minister after the election, based on the preference of the MPs.
“According to the conditions, former President Rajapaksa will have to remain in Parliament as an ordinary MP if he doesn’t get appointed as the Prime Minister,” a strongman of the SLFP, who was privy to discussions on Tuesday, told the Daily News.
Meanwhile, a section of staunch supporters of the former President will not receive nominations to contest under the UPFA ticket.
Sajin Vaas Gunawardena, Duminda Silva, Mervyn Silva and Premalal Jayasekera will not receive nominations on the grounds that bribery, corruption and criminal charges have been leveled against them.
The President has opposed giving nominations to Rohitha Abetgunawardena, Johnston Fernando, Lakshman Wasantha Perara and Mahindananda Aluthgamage. However, the pro-Rajapaksa group has now embarked on a feverish mission to get the President’s consent to give nominations to the four ex-Parliamentarians.
Meanwhile, Western Provincial Council member Samanmalee Sakalasooriya, a member of the pro-Rajapaksa camp, is unlikely to receive nominations to contest the election, SLFP nominations committee sources said.
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga had insisted she would contest the election if Rajapaksa signed nomination papers. “The former President’s stance is very clear. She would not come from the National List; she would contest the election and come to Parliament from people’s votes,” a spokesperson close to the former President told the Daily News last night.
A fresh issue has emerged in the SLFP over national list slots. Professor G.L. Pieris, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Susil Premajayantha, Dullas Alahapperuma, Dilan Perera and several key members from the constituent parties of the UPFA have expressed willingness to come from the National List, without contesting the election.
This move has met with heavy resistance from President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga who are of the view that professionals and intellectuals should be given more space in the national list.
Speaking to the Daily News, members of the Rajapaksa camp said Rajapaksa was expected to sign nomination papers today (July 08) or tomorrow (July 9).
(Daily News)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dies at 92 December 26, 2024
- Sri Lanka welcomes 2 millionth tourist, marking historic milestone December 26, 2024
- Sri Lanka Police introduces nighttime traffic rules to enhance safety December 26, 2024
- Today marks 20 years since 2004 Tsunami Disaster December 26, 2024
- Wasantha Handapangoda passes away December 25, 2024
Sri Lankan parliament will stink bit less without the presence of Mervyn Silva. Few of the useful things done by the current president.
Much expected and most obvious decision of the president has been revealed and exposed. As in the Sinhala saying it is like ‘ Pala nokia palaa bedala’ No self respecting sensible person would ever accept such downright humility. Seventy year old walauwa background lady can now strut round the political arena as an all conqueror . Bifurcation of the SLFP has been achieved by the most inimical triumvirate Maithree – Ranil — Chandrika . RIP SLFP.
Why a conditional nomination to MR. Mr President why are you scared of MR. I believe Sri Lanka is going to have a free and democratic election. By the way, Chandrika has said, she would contest if MR gets nominated, Mr. president have you given her also conditions.
Regardless of the merits or otherwise of these conditions, i wonder how democratic they are. The conditions are a one man decision. If this type of thing was done by Mahinda he will be called a dictator. Isn’t this a dictatorship?
The party is not my3’s private property so how can he impose such conditions on his iwn without consulting or getting agreement with the majority of the management committee of the party?
Perfectly agree with Manjula’s comments; in a democratic country why president wants to put conditions for a candidate. It is OK not to allow to contest under the party policies but if you allow to contest then he should be free to go as far as the people allow him to go and not restricted by the President. In essence My3 and Chandrika are scared as MRs popularity and ability in the political arena is way higher than them. Let’s see where they go after 17th August…
Sirisena is not a leader….he has to be led. Where was Sirisenas when the Tigers were vindicated sometime in May 2009. Where was he when the army unit was ambushed in 1983 that led to island wide riots leading to the escalation of terrorism. Where was Mr sirisena. Where was Sirisena in April 1971.
Does Mr Sirisena think that there will be another Prabhakaran or another Wijeweera. There is always another possibility of a successor to Prabhakaran but not another Wijeweera.
My advice to Mr Sirisena is that he should read the constitution and he should appoint few guys to
help him what it is all about at clauses that is relevant to his Presidency and his role in the government. Then he ought to get an idea about of balance of payments GDP per capita income
He has only a couple of months to try before the new parliament assembles in September ……if at all
The same cat leaping for the same milk.mahinda trying to secure his corruptions n war crime violations. People of this country has to use their rusty brains.mahinda is a great brain washer for the public.