Sri Lanka’s Former Foreign Minister Invites Former President to Lead New Party
Amid speculation about former President Mahinda Rajapaksa forming a new party, his former Foreign Minister, G.L. Peiris, has decided to invite Mr. Rajapaksa to lead a new political organization he chairs. Peiris told "The Hindu" that they will do their best to persuade Mr. Rajapaksa to lead their party, despite the fact that he has not yet given any commitment.
Peiris, who was suspended from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) last week, has been an active politician in the Joint Opposition, a grouping of pro-Rajapaksa political actors. He assumed charge as chairman of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (Sri Lanka People’s Front) shortly after the SLFP stripped him of membership citing his role in a new party.
Peiris believes his suspension will be revoked, citing the example of President Maithripala Sirisena’s suspension from the SLFP ahead of the 2015 presidential polls. He terms the suspension a violation of principles of equality and fairness, stating that the person concerned should have an opportunity to be heard.
The SLFP is currently divided between the Sirisena-led faction, in coalition with the United National Party, and the Rajapaksa-led group, which, along with other supportive political parties, formed the Joint Opposition. Peiris said his party would work closely with the Joint Opposition in the coming days.
While there are no indications of Mr. Rajapaksa garnering more support within the SLFP, political analysts in Colombo observe that he was unlikely to leave the SLFP. The party is central to his political image in Sri Lanka’s Sinhala-majority south, particularly in the rural electorate where he continues to have considerable support.
Mr. Rajapaksa himself has made no official announcement in this regard, but he does not seem to have ruled out another bid for power either. Speaking to popular Tamil daily Veerakesari, he said anyone had the right to form or head a new party, stating, "Tomorrow I too could start a party and become its leader."
Published – November 07, 2016 11:32 pm IST
