SLFP-M wing endorses General Sarath Fonseka

(November 26, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The SLFP-M Wing led by Mangala Samaraweera endorsed Sarath Fonseka as their common candidate for the forthcoming Presidential Elections. Fonseka was unanimously endorsed by the SLFP-M central committee members.

The SLFP-M wing central committee is entirely comprised of former Rajapaksa supporters who were instrumental in his Presidential victory. Individuals such as Tiran Alles; current General Secretary of the SLFP-M, the Venerable Malabe Wimalaratne Thero, Mrs. Dilrukshi Suriyarachi, Ms. Neluka Ekanayake and Nassir Hajyarr were disillusioned by Rajapaksa’s poor governance and nepotistic streak. This disillusionment prompted them to abandon their support of Rajapaksa.

Though present Government Ministers such as Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena are at present praising the Rajapaksa administration, it was Abeywardena and other such present Ministers who attempted to sabotage Rajapaksa’s 2005 Presidential campaign. It was the members of the SLFP-M central committee who made Rajapaksa’s 2005 bid for the Office a success. These individuals risked everything to ensure Rajapaksa’s success, believing him to be the change the country was in need of. However it took little time for them to realise that they had unknowingly placed a dictator to the country’s highest office. Rajapaksa has persistently shown a blatant disregard of the democratic process and all but extinguished basic fundamental human rights and freedoms. In order to rectify the grave error of Rajapaksa’s tenure as President these individuals have come together to support the common candidate Sarath Fonseka.

The decision to support Fonseka was prompted by the need to restore democracy and pilot the creation of a government that will primarily be responsible to its people. Every member of the SLFP-M wing will work tirelessly towards realising this goal.

The present Government has stated that Fonseka being elected President will eventually lead to military governance. However the country need not wait Fonseka’s election to be ruled by a military dictatorship. Within the country’s most powerful and influential government ranks military officials have taken control. Admiral Karanagoda, Major A.J Chandrasiri, Rear Admiral Mohan Vijewickrama, former IGP Chandra Fernando, Admiral Daya Sandagiri, Air Marshall Rohan Goonathilake, Major Soyza, Major Sunil Silva and most notably Gotabaya Rajapaksa all presently hold powerful government positions.

In addition to the appointments of these former members of the armed forces, Rajapaksa has seen fit to undemocratically appoint in Parliament former terrorists and United Kingdom deportees such as Karuna Aman who was responsible for the deaths Buddhist clergy, police officers and countless civilians.

Fonseka’s candidature has nothing to do with nepotism, favouritism or illegality. His candidature has been brought about by the support of a coalition of the most democratic leaders of this country who all believe that he has the potential to bring about change. The coalition has a firm belief that once elected President, Fonseka will restore democracy and abolish the executive Presidency.

Despite the Government’s allegations it is important to remember that Fonseka has always delivered on his promises and he has made a promise to both the people and the parties supporting him to restore democracy and abolish the Executive Presidency, and he will deliver as expected.

Fonseka is not moulded in the likes of the members of the Burmese Junta, whose dictator Rajapaksa warmly invited and welcomed to Sri Lanka, nor does he remotely resemble any other military dictator who came to power through a coup d’etat. In the context of Sri Lanka’s current dilemma Fonseka comes close to being a local equivalent of French General Charles de Gaulle, a man who was instrumental in developing a war ravaged France and a chief architect of the current French constitution.

Rajapaksa’s fear inducing political strategies are a clear indication of his regime’s trepidation of the considerable advantage the common candidate has over the failed Rajapaksa administration. The present Government is uncertain of its popularity and is only certain of their defeat at the hands of the common candidate.

Fonseka is now in talks with all minority party leaders including Rauf Hakeem and Mano Ganeshan to hear their grievances and address them in a constructive manner.

We wish to once again reiterate our support for Sarath Fonseka the man who would free this country from dynastic rule and family corruption and instil democracy. Furthermore, this election victory would lead to the emancipation of the SLFP, which is currently being hijacked, by extremist, political opportunist and business interests. The SLFP will once again be a party of the people.

-Sri Lanka Guardian