Lawmakers, Speaker challenged to reveal their choice to counter bribery allegations

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Senior Front line Socialist Party (FSP) spokesperson Pubudu Jagoda yesterday (19) urged all members of Parliament, including Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, to reveal whom they would support at today’s vote to elect a President.

 Acting President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, SLPP’s Dullas Alahapperuma and JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake are in the fray.

 Acknowledging that the scheduled process would be a secret vote, Jagoda said that the members of Parliament should have the strength to declare their choice.

 The breakaway JVP faction, the FSP played a critical role at times in barbaric protests that forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to leave the country.

 Those who voted for them have a right to know how their representatives responded to the unprecedented political crisis, the activist said. The FSP’s Education Secretary emphasized that the outfit felt that the MPs taking an open stand would be a prerequisite for creating what he called a level playing field.

 Responding to another query, Jagoda said that by declaring their choice before the vote, lawmakers could quite easily counter allegations pertaining to the bribing of members. Noting that voters could mark second and third preferences, Jagoda challenged all political parties and individual lawmakers as well not to take cover behind parliamentary privileges, but to openly declare their first, second, and third choices.

 The Parliament, as an institution, repeatedly faulted for its failure to ensure financial transparency and discipline that contributed to the current crisis, could redeem itself by conducting a clean election, devoid of controversies.

 Jagoda noted that so far only Vasudeva Nanayakkara has publicly declared his support for Dullas Alahapperuma. Referring to the continuing controversy surrounding the ruling SLPP’s stand on today’s vote with party Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris challenging the party secretary Sagara Kariyawasam’s declaration in support of Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s candidature, Jagoda said that the electorate would never get such an opportunity to test the integrity of those elected at the 2020 general election.

 The lawmakers should be able to justify their actions, Jagoda said, adding that those who intended to abstain, too, should explain their decision.

 Fifteen political parties and alliances are represented in parliament. They are Sir Lanka Podujana Peramuna (145 seats), Samagi Jana Balavegaya (54), Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (10), Jathika Jana Balavegaya (03), Ahila Illankai Tamil Congress (02), Eelam People’s Democratic Party (02), United National Party (01), Sir Lanka Freedom Party (01), Our Power of People’s Party (01), Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (01), Muslim National Alliance (01), Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kutani (01), All Ceylon Makkal Congress (01), National Congress (01) and Sir Lanka Muslim Congress (01).

 The Parliament consists of 196 elected and 29 appointed members. Of the 29 National List slots, the SLPP and the SJB won 17 and 07 seats, respectively.

 Jagoda said that it would be the responsibility of the new President and the proposed all-party government to address the issues at hand taking into consideration the problems highlighted by protesters. The activist stressed that the outcome of Wednesday’s vote shouldn’t in anyway undermine the formation of a genuine all-party government.

Asked whether the FSP was aware of a group of persons seeking to register a political party on the basis of their involvement in the protest campaign against the then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government, Jagoda said he didn’t know anything more than what was reported in print and electronic media.

A delegation from the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) on Monday (18) met SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to discuss latest developments. The meeting took place ahead of Premadasa quitting the presidential race. The IUSF which spearheaded the campaign against the Rajapaksa administration is affiliated to the FSP. IUSF convener Wasantha Mudalige led the delegation.

Responding to the IUSF’s call for the implementation of an agreed set of proposals within a specific time frame, lawmaker Premadasa pointed out the difficulty in achieving targets ahead of deadlines.