* President deserves a second term
* UNP getting stronger
* Opposition missed chance to raise concerns with IMF
In an interview with the Sunday Observer, Palitha Range Bandara, the General Secretary of the United National Party (UNP), shed light on various crucial aspects surrounding the upcoming elections in Sri Lanka. With elections looming on the horizon, Bandara provided valuable insights into the sequence of elections as per the Constitution and the potential for political alliances with other parties.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: What is the election that is coming first? Presidential or General? It has been said that some parties including the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) favour a General Election?
A: According to the Constitution, a Presidential Election (PE) must be held and next year a General Election (GE) must come. Also, from the Budget, funds were allocated to the PE. Commissioner General of the National Elections Commission (NEC) Saman Sri Ratnayake has said that even if the Government decided to advance the GE, the upcoming PE could not be postponed. So if we go in line with the Constitution, clearly it must be a PE.
Q: In any case, is it possible to postpone the Presidential Election, which has to be held by October this year?
A: If there is a need to postpone the PE a referendum must be held. So, the election must be postponed only with the approval of the people by a referendum. Otherwise, it would be unlawful. The UNP as a whole and President Ranil Wickremesinghe are of the opinion that the PE must be held because postponing the election, any election, would cost the nation again. I am not sure about the Government’s opinion because there are so many parties involved, but the stance of the UNP itself is clear.
Q: There has been speculation that the President’s term could be extended by a Parliamentary motion. Is that possible at all?
A: People have given the mandate only till mid-October, which is the remainder of the previous President’s tenure. So without the approval of the people, a President cannot rule. One of the most democratic features of the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka which guarantees the Sovereignty and Supremacy of the people is the Referendum.
That is what even President J.R Jayewardene did; he also went for a referendum. So if the PE is to be postponed definitely a referendum must be held. I do not think that a Parliamentary Motion can postpone elections; it is an impractical and absurd idea.
Q: Why in your opinion should President Ranil Wickremesinghe be given another term, this time as a President directly elected by the people?
A: Because we do not see any other leader who is capable of taking the country out of the chaos we had. When everybody rejected the offer to take over the country, he was the only leader and statesman who stood up and faced the challenge.
In addition to his vision, his comprehensive understanding as well as his knowledge, his ability to deal with the international community, his management skills as well as the decision-making ability are key factors that contribute to the idea that he must be given another term. He accepted the challenge at a very difficult time and he acted up to his words.
Q: Are you vying for an alliance with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) per se or at least with a majority of its members because the UNP by itself is not in a strong position? What are the other parties that you are approaching to form an alliance ahead of the elections?
A: I clearly say that we all should get together in the coming elections. That is the way forward. Not only the UNP but all the other parties also cannot win a majority and establish a Government. Right now, we have gathered members from several other parties. We had the UNP’s 75th Convention and during that, we amended the Party Constitution. Therefore, now we have the legal right to join hands with the other parties and vice versa.
Q: Both the National People’s Power (NPP) and the SJB say they are leading at the moment. In such a situation, will President Wickremesinghe as a non-party national candidate, as proposed by the UNP, be able to make an impact?
A: The SJB and the NPP started their campaigns very early. So, they tend to hold rallies island-wide just to showcase that they have the people’s power and backing. We are with the people, and we are looking out for them from the grassroots level. And we have been able to appoint new party organisers in large numbers, and we are also working hard to lift and make the party’s foundation strong.
We had five major rallies in five Districts, namely Kandy, Ratnapura, Galle, Kalutara, and Hambantota. We launched our electoral campaign in Kuliyapitiya in the North Western Province, and it was a huge success. In fact, it was the very first political propaganda rally that President Wickremesinghe addressed since assuming the Presidency.
As a step to strengthen the core of the party, we have appointed one organiser for each electoral division. We are giving space to youth, women as well as to talented individuals, and over 1,000 new members were added to the party’s system. Within just two or three months, we will be able to show how strong we are as a party.
Q: The President has had to make some deeply unpopular decisions to face the economic crisis. Could this cost him dearly at the Presidential or General Elections?
A: The President had to go for unpopular decisions because his sole intention was to take the country out of the economic turmoil. We cannot make popular decisions because we are a bankrupt country. I hope the citizens can comprehend that. We are getting out of the state of bankruptcy because the necessary decisions are being made.
We have been able to provide “Aswesuma” to 240,000 people because we have taken a step forward from the state we were in. We are providing a relief of Rs. 15,000 through “Aswesuma,” which was Rs. 5,000 back then for the underprivileged people. We increased the wages of both private and State sector employees. These advancements were made because the President took unpopular decisions. If the decisions are not made at the right time, we will again have to face the same ugly episodes that unfolded while President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ruled.
Q: The two main Opposition parties are saying they will renegotiate the International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal if they come to power. Can this be done under the current circumstances when we are yet to fully come out of bankruptcy?
A: I do not think it is possible to renegotiate because the maximum has been done by the Government. No decisions are made without studying the impacts of these deals. The NPP as well as the SJB were invited to the discussions with the IMF. Even SJB MP Dr. Harsha De Silva wanted to have talks with the IMF.
But the leaders of both parties refused their chance and only one MP came from the TNA for the talks. Both parties could have talked to the IMF regarding their concerns, and the opportunity was given to them. But I responsibly say that they turned down all their chances. So these renegotiations they are talking about are null and void. These two parties are engaged in a major campaign to deceive the people.
Q: Some prominent UNPers have argued that many party organisers are ineffective and lethargic. Is there a plan to replace them and infuse young blood?
A: Those prominent individuals who assert that the UNP falls short of standards could have taken action when we faced defeat in 2020 to rejuvenate the party. However, they remained inactive until President Wickremesinghe assumed office. If these figures are concerned about the effectiveness of organisers and the party’s structure, they had ample time to initiate changes, yet they failed to do so.
While acknowledging that our organisers may not flaunt their achievements like others, I affirm that they are loyal, trustworthy, and committed to elevating the party. Our organisers may lack financial prosperity, but they possess mental and physical fortitude. Unlike other parties, we do not associate with drug dealers or liquor shop owners; instead, we collaborate with determined allies proud to be UNPers. Those who remained hidden during the party’s struggles are now emerging with tales to conceal their disloyalty.
Q: If the economy improves in the short term, is there any possibility of reducing the tax burden on the people and to grant other concessions?
A: The President is currently devising plans to decrease the Value Added Tax in April. With economic stability, there is a gradual possibility of alleviating the tax burdens. The President is keen on providing relief to citizens and has no intention of oppressing them. Efforts are underway to stimulate an economic resurgence through Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), modern agriculture, and the tourism industry, aiming to propel the nation toward a high level of prosperity.
