The newly formed electoral alliance, the ‘Sarvajana Balaya’, is yet to decide on its Presidential candidate, even though the names of some of its prominent members have emerged as potential candidates, The Daily Morning learns.
On Monday (27), several political parties and groups signed an agreement to launch the said movement. The National Freedom Front led by Opposition Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya led by Opposition MP, attorney Udaya Gammanpila, the Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP) led by entrepreneur and Sarvajana Balaya coalition Executive Member Dilith Jayaweera, the Democratic Left Front, the Communist Party, the Independent MPs’ Forum, and several groups took part in signing the agreement to launch the said new political movement.
When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (30), a member of the new movement, Chairperson of the ‘Yuthukama’ organisation, Opposition MP Gevindu Cumaratunga stated that the new movement is more focused on making a comprehensive policy framework these days, which is scheduled to be launched within a period of one month. He also noted that before deciding on the Presidential candidate, a policy framework must be drafted and presented to the public. Stating that the Government and the Election Commission (EC) have yet to call the Presidential Election, he opined that it is too early to field a Presidential candidate, but that a decision will be taken in this regard as soon as the said manifesto is finalised.
“We are working to make a comprehensive policy framework for the movement. We have initially proposed 10 key policies, and we hope to further elaborate on them and present them to the public for reference. When it comes to the Presidential candidate, we have not yet decided who is going to run. We believe that first we have to present our programme. Also, the Government and the EC are yet to call the Presidential Election,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Sarvajana Balaya coalition is currently holding discussions with a number of parties in order to prepare for political developments that are likely to occur in the foreseeable future in the context of elections. Among these groups are individuals who have been identified as incorrupt and are in active politics, patriotic civil society organisations, and youth groups who are seeking a change with good intentions.
This was noted by Jayaweera, during the coalition’s first media briefing yesterday, where he explained that although there is a notion that the coalition is merely nationalist group, it is a Leftist and nationalist group that represents and includes groups from various walks of life.
“This is a coalition that was formed to face evolving political needs,” he said, explaining that one of the reasons behind the formation of the coalition is the Government not heeding separate calls by Opposition groups, which has created a need for a powerful group that represents the interests of all Opposition groups. Jayaweera also acknowledged that in a context where elections are looming, such a group is necessary to speak for everyone.