JHU calls on UNP to form new alliance and announce presidential candidate soon

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka - Pic by Lasantha Kumara 

• JHU wants UNP to resolve internal tussles quickly 
• Warns JHU may be forced to seek alternatives if coalition not formed soon 
• Cautions indecisiveness will shorten time coalition has to ready for election 

By Nuwan Senarathna 

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) yesterday called on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the United National Party (UNP) to announce the proposed Democratic National Front (DNF) alliance and its presidential candidate as soon as possible, warning that coalition parties may otherwise have to look for alternatives elsewhere.

Speaking to the media at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI), Megapolis and Western Development Minister and JHU General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka said the UNP should take the lead to form a new political alliance and name the presidential candidate.

“This is the right moment to form the alliance and name the presidential candidate. Only a candidate that contests from a broader alliance is capable of winning the election. Therefore, forming a strong alliance is a must,” Ranawaka said.

He noted during the meeting held on 17 August, the leaders of the coalition member parties had agreed to the policy framework of the proposed alliance, and the name had been finalised. Ranawaka said the foundation of the proposed alliance has been laid out, and only the official launch is needed to continue its future operations.

“At the early stages, when we were drafting a new constitution for this alliance, a lot of concerns were raised by the UNP parliamentarians. However, now everything has been sorted out. As things are resolved, the UNP should announce the alliance without any delay.”

Referring to the internal tussle over naming the presidential candidate, Ranawaka said if the UNP was unable to resolve the internal tussles soon it could lead both the UNP and its coalition parties into a political defeat.

“Whatever is happening inside the UNP, it is up to them to find solutions. But this is also a matter about the discipline of their party members. They have to sort that out soon before it is too late. What they should be concentrating on and doing is forming the proposed alliance to win the election.”

Ranawaka warned if the UNP does not settle its internal issues and form the DNF, the JHU may have to look for an alternative. However, he emphasised such a decision would only be made after considering the reaction of the UNP following their request, and at the moment their intention is to continue engagement with the UNP.

Ranawaka said the JHU had already discussed the importance of forming a new alliance with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who had agreed to the DNF.  During the meeting, the Prime Minister was informed of the JHU’s stance on the proposed alliance, and Ranawaka described it as a successful discussion.

He noted the JHU expects the presidential candidate to be a pragmatic leader that is capable of working and thinking practically to lead the country for a better future.

“The leader should make appointments based on meritocracy, govern the country in an honest and disciplined manner, so the economy and the country will develop.”

Ranawaka pointed out that the presidential candidate should be able to identify new environmental problems, and policies should be formulated based on sustainable development goals, and new economic initiatives based on knowledge-based economy with innovation-driven strategies.