Mahesh Senanayake enters the fray

NPM presidential candidate former Army Commander Gen. (Rtd) Mahesh Senanayake (centre) with Dr. Ajith Kollone and former Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe – Pic by Chathura Kodikara

• Says is an independent candidate for Civil Society collective
• Says NPM and collective only movement without politicians
• Follows ‘One Law, One Country Principle’
• Pledges people-centric policymaking and constitutional change
• Says NPM specialist are drafting proposals for constitutional change
• Says NPM will listen to professional advice
• Calls for Sri Lanka’s policy of neutrality to continue
• ‘Made-in-Sri Lanka’ export-oriented product and services sector to be revived
• Reconciliation and National Security mutually inclusive

The National People›s Movement (NPM) declared former Army Commander G e n . ( R t d) Mah e s h Senanayake as their candidate for the upcoming Presidential Election at a function held yesterday.

After the announcement, Senanayake was accompanied on stage by Ajith Kollone, former Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe, civil society activists, professionals and retired military officers who make up the NPM.

The NPM comprises of a number of civil society groups including the ‘Mahajana sabha’ and represents social and political activism.

Addressing those who gathered at Sugathadasa Indoor stadium for the declaration, Senanayake said that many political parties had approached him after his retirement to seek his support but he decided to give leadership to a civil society movement based on his conscience. 

“Running for president was never a dream of mine, this was a collective decision and I am here to give leadership, I am your independent candidate of a civil society collective,” he said, pointing out that traditional political parties have failed the country and was part of the problem. 

Senanayake and the NPM stated that they aim to secure the country for the future generations and change the existing system to a more stable, progressive, disciplined state where one law governs all. National Security cannot be upheld without reconciliation, trust between the communities and changes to the political culture of the country, Senanayake said. 

 Sri Lanka should not deviate from her time tested non-allied policy and maintain her neutrality, Senanayake opined, pointing out that defence agreements with global powers risk Sri Lanka losing some of its sovereignty.  

The country is in need of non-political leaders, who do not alienate communities and uphold the rule of law, said Gamini Gunawardena of the NPM, pointing out that the NPM candidates have to fulfil strict conditions including not having any criminal charges filed against them and should have released an asset declaration among others. 

“We don’t need leaders who move towards consumerism and alienate communities,” he said. He claimed that the NPM had no politicians or individuals who were tainted with corruption or criminal activity.   

“It is time to change our outdated Constitution, we need a new Constitution and we are drawing up plans which we will put forward soon,” Senanayake said, emphasising that the country needed discipline. “One country – one law, this is a must” he said. 

In his speech Senanayake conceded that he was not an expert on economics and said that a team of specialist are drafting policies and will advise the NPM leadership team on it. “Our leadership will decide on policies based on expert advice,” he said. He also acknowledged the need for a broad discussion on navigating Sri Lanka›s national debt and to revitalise export oriented industries and services sector.  

The former Army Commander claimed that he will stay his course no matter what challenges or threat came his way.