SLFP backs PR for provincial and parliamentary polls, Maithri tells Mano G

Following a meeting with the SLFP leader, former President Maithripala Sirisena, Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader, Mano Ganesan, MP, claimed that Sirisena has assured SLFP support to continue the present Proportional Representation (PR) system of election.

Ganesan who met Sirisena on Thursday told the media that the meeting was to clarify the SLFP stand on electoral reforms and discuss it further.

Attempts are being made to completely change the electoral system, dilute PR and implement a mixed electoral system to undermine the existence of small and minority political parties, he said. This would bury the current multi-party democracy in this country.

He noted that the SLFP had expressed support for a mixed electoral system at the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Electoral Reforms.

“At last week’s meeting, I explained to Sirisena that this stand by the SLFP was contrary to the position previously stated to me both by Sirisena and SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara,” Ganesan said.He had explained to Sirisena that what is being attempted would hurt not only Tamil and Muslim parties but also the SLFP which is the third-largest party in the country, the JVP and all other political parties with alternative policies.He pointed out that at present the SJB and the JVP are also of the view that PR should continue.”So also the Tamil National Alliance(TNA), the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), which represent the Tamil and Muslim communities.”

Many leaders of government-aligned parties as well as minority parties have personally told me that they support PR. A mixed system, as proposed, endangers their existences,” Ganesan said.Sirisena said that the SLFP position has been wrongly presented and not expressed properly. They would clarify their stance in the near future.

The SLFP does not accept the mixed system. We support PR. Local elections can be held under the mixed system but PR is appropriate in provincial and parliamentary elections, Sirisena said.

“It is good that this country has an Executive Presidency which serves to unite the country. Similarly, a pluralistic parliament is needed to represent all political policies. That is what is good for democracy in the country. This is the position of the SLFP.”