Dilith Jayaweera launches new political party to tap ‘rising’ floating vote

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Leading businessman Dilith Jayaweera yesterday said the country was heading for an election year, his political party, Mawbima Janatha Pakshaya (MJP), expected to attract floating votes which were increasing.

Jayaweera said so after opening the headquarters of the MJP, in Colombo 08.

The MJP founded by former politician Dr. Hemakumara Nanayakkara was handed over to Jayaweera.

Jayaweera said he was confident that the MJP would create a platform for millions of disgruntled voters in the country to rally round under the theme ‘unity and opportunity for all’.

“The setting up of the MJP headquarters marks a milestone in the party’s journey towards empowering Sri Lankans, especially our youth and women, to hone in their creativity and contribute to building a Sri Lankan State with an entrepreneurial mindset. I strongly believe that this country must become a centre point for entrepreneurs. It is critical that we focus on creating a politically literate Sri Lankan community in order to fulfill the crucial need for a National Policy framework, which the Sri Lankan people have been deprived of because of the divisions in the political landscape. We hope that MJP will pave the way for a more impactful, collaborative political space,” he said.

Responding to a query posed to him by The Island, Jayaweera said that his party’s policy framework was still being formulated by a team of experts.

Asked about his party’s foreign policy against the backdrop of rising tensions in the region among major power blocs, he said:”We are assessing the situation and would formulate our foreign policy to suit the interests of the country.”

When asked if he would contest the next presidential polls or the parliamentary elections he said,” First, we will give enough time for the MJP to succeed as a political movement across the country and then decide when to run for political office.”