By President Ranil Wickremesinghe is not willing to give up his plans of holding Presidential elections first and seems Basil Rajapaksa, founder, and strategist of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has no other alternative other than agreeing, observed political commentators.
This is mainly because l Basil Rajapaksa, founder, and strategist of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has lost his grip within the party and many have pointed out that it will be suicidal to go for parliamentary elections first because the SLPP base has declined very badly. This group including Prasanna Ranathunga argue that it would be better to Support Ranil Wickramasinha’s presidential aspirations and then cross the bridge when it comes.
Basil Rajapaksa who met Ranil Wikramasingha at the President’s former official residence at Mahagam Sekera Mawatha (former Paget Road) had to walk away very much disappointed as he had to agree to all most every thing Wickramasingha had to say and now it’s a matter of falling in line for Basil and group .
President Wickremesinghe is busy holding meetings with grass root organizers that are been coordinated Campaign Manager Ronald Perera.
One to One
Wickrmasingha is also scheduled to have a number of one to one meetings with SLPP seniors willing to support his campaign openly , to which Basil Rajapaksa said he has no objections.
It is speculated that the Rajapasha’s are under heavy pressure and former Presidient Maithripala Sirisenas revelations on Easter bombings is part of the pressure tactics.
President Wickremesinghe has however not been able get the support from the Sajith Premadasa camp as anticipated, how ever talks are continuing with Parliamentarians Mano Ganeshan and Rauf Hakeem taking the lead.
The SLPP Version
The SLPP issued a brief four-point statement on the Thursday night meeting. It said:” Summary of the discussion between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Basil Rajapaksa
1. Regarding the issue whether the Parliamentary election or the Presidential elections should be held first, Basil Rajapaksa said, that as a party, they are inclined towards a Parliamentary election. However, he was in no hurry to obtain a final answer to the issue at this discussion itself. He said a decision should be taken considering the benefits for democracy and the will of the people.
2. Rajapaksa also pointed out that there has been some doubt created about the postponement of the parliamentary elections by opening a new dialogue about electoral reforms and that was not healthy. The President had responded saying elections will not be delayed due to the reforms.
3. Rajapaksa pointed out the issues which have arisen due to the postponement of the Local Government elections. One of them was the injustice to the rights of the voters, the other was the issue created by conducting the functions of the local government institutions without the political representatives and the personal and social issues faced by the former local council members.
4. Rajapaksa also pointed out that there needs to be a proper open dialogue with the Buddhist monks and trade union-led nationalist organisations about the economic reforms taking place, about state enterprises, and economic platforms. The President had agreed to this proposal.
