Presidential candidate will release policy statement on 8 Oct.: SLPP

• Says policy statement will give prominence to national security, youth
• 29 committees to be appointed to collect information, 550 experts of different fields will participate in policymaking process
• Claims even if separate presidential candidates named, will not affect SLFP-SLPP coalition

By Nuwan Senarathna

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday said the policy statement of its presidential candidate will be launched on 8 October.

Speaking to media at SLPP head office, SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris said the policy statement will be focused on creating a safer country with a stronger economy that gives prominence to youth. The SLPP had earlier announced its presidential candidate will be revealed at a national convention on 11 August. 

“Our main focus will be national security, where everyone can live in a safe and peaceful environment and youth will get more opportunities to contribute to the economy and reduce poverty,” he said. He said the party had appointed 29 committees to gather information from every sector of the economy and every level of society. As many as 550 experts in different fields will come together to draft the policy statement of the party and the presidential candidate, he added. “We discussed with all political parties affiliated with the SLPP and their opinions will also be collected for the policy formulating process as we want to make a policy statement that benefits everyone regardless of their social status or economic background.”

Prof. Peiris said the SLPP will not target the support of one particular ethnic community as their ambition is to establish peace and harmony among all communities. 

He pointed out the SLPP presidential candidate will be a charismatic leader with the potential to calm tension that have arisen between communities following the Easter Sunday attacks.

The SLPP will be hosting its maiden convention on 11 August. During the convention, the SLPP will announce its presidential candidate. The SLPP has requested to all political parties backing the Joint Opposition (JO) to participate at this event.

Talks between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and SLPP to form a coalition will be finalised on 10 August, which according to him will pave the way for a new political culture to strengthen the anti- United National Party (UNP) camp.

“The SLFP agreed to 25-point policy document that has been presented to them, which contains details on governance, foreign policy, economic policy and details on how the two parties will manage the coalition.”

Responding to questions of what will be the fate of the coalition if the SLFP and SLPP end up naming different presidential candidate, Prof. Peiris said neither party had talked about naming a common presidential candidate during the discussion to form a coalition.

“I think it is too early to talk about an SLFP candidate but I think naming a presidential candidate will not dent the talks between our two parties,” he added.  However, he did not provide detail on what would be the future of the proposed coalition if SLFP named a different presidential candidate.