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Sajith, Karu, Suma, etc. at ‘independent’ MPs’ new programme launch 

14 Nov 2022

By Buddhika Samaraweera The initiation of the political and economic programme of the Freedom People’s Programme (FPP) by the group of MPs that recently left the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)-led Government and since declared themselves as “independent” MPs took place yesterday (13) in Colombo, with the notable participation of Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa, former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, President's Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran, and Patali Champika Ranawaka of the 43 Brigade, among others. The programme, which was held at the BMICH in Colombo under the theme “Nidahasata Perawadanak” was attended by MPs representing the FPP, such as Prof. G.L. Peiris, Dullas Alahapperuma, Dilan Perera, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Prof. Charitha Herath, and Prof. Channa Jayasumana, as well as Premadasa and MPs Sarath Fonseka, Ranawaka, Sumanthiran, Rishad Bathiudeen, Mujibur Rahuman, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Udaya Gammanpila, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, and Asanka Navaratne, Karu Jayasuriya, and several others. During the programme to unveil the political and economic programme of the FPP, the party’s plan for overcoming the current economic and political crisis in the country was handed over to a group of students of State Universities and higher education institutions, and then to the interfaith clergy, by Prof. Peiris, Alahapperuma, and Dilan Perera. Addressing the event, Prof. Herath, a member of  the “independent” group of MPs, highlighted that it is very important for everyone to recognise the political crisis that has arisen in order to recover from the economic crisis that the country is currently facing. He said that it is difficult to overcome the prevailing economic crisis without resolving the political crisis, as claimed by certain political trends at present.  “We should have a dialogue with the people and agree on a programme to build the country. As two of its main avenues, we invite the people to accept the discussion papers that include the economic and political reforms that we have planned. We are at a critical moment in the country. At a time when economic and political crises gripped the country. We cannot get rid of this economic crisis if we do not recognise the political crisis. Today, we are starting the broad intervention that will create the programme to save the country from the crisis where politics and the economy are connected,” he said.  During the discourse with the people about the resolution of the prevailing economic and political crisis, Prof. Herath said that areas such as democracy and the market system, the State machinery, the drafting of a new Constitution instead of the Constitutional amendments introduced by each President from time to time, the Executive Presidency, and a system that collects the freedom gained by Sri Lanka under indigeneity will be paid attention to. “We believe in starting a broad discussion between the current problem in the country and the answer we have. We hope to gather the broadest Opposition political stream in terms of bringing in political and economic reforms in a strong and ideological way. This will not be a political movement that will take power tomorrow morning, but does not know as to what should be done. This programme will be something that goes beyond such political movements.” added Prof. Herath.  A group of MPs including Peiris, Alahapperuma (who ran for Presidency against incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe), Prof. Herath, Prof. Jayasumana, Dr. Godahewa, Gunapala Rathnasekara, Upul Galappaththi, Thilak Rajapakse, Dilan Perera, Udayana Kirindigoda, Wasantha Yapa Bandara, and K. P. S. Kumarasiri announced on 31 August that they had decided to function as “independent” MPs, as the SLPP policies, which secured a two-thirds parliamentary mandate and had gained the people’s confidence, were no longer being implemented. Meanwhile, in an interview with The Morning last week, Prof. Peiris said that they represent the ideal values and thinking of the SLPP, adding that what is binding to them is the programme that the people endorsed at the Parliamentary Election held in August 2020. Although the people then gave the SLPP a victory in record numbers, approximating almost two-thirds of the total number of MPs, he claimed, the SLPP did not act in conformity with that mandate.  However, he said that they have remained true to the promises that they made to the people and the policies through which they received such a strong endorsement.  


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