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Parties promise to ring workers’ doorbells more often | Printed edition

Parties promise to ring workers’ doorbells more often | Printed edition

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By Kasun Warakapitiya

Leading political parties are preparing for the upcoming presidential elections by preparing their campaigns, drafting manifestos and setting up networks.

Party secretaries are waiting for the announcement of the date to begin party propaganda in support of their candidates.

Some parties are still unsure about their candidates and smaller parties have yet to decide who they will support. Some small parties have formed alliances.

Some parties are also trying to become active in politics again, while others are mainly focused on winning legal battles.

SLFP embroiled in legal battles: Party headquarters. Pix by Eshan Fernando

Now that the Electoral Commission has the power to nominate candidates and schedule election day, parties have increased the intensity of their political activities.

The United National Party (UNP), which is nominating President Ranil Wickremesinghe as its presidential candidate, is strengthening the party ahead of the elections.

UNP Secretary General, Palitha Range Bandara said that after the elections are called and nominations are called, the party would hand over the nominations. Mr. Wickremesinghe is the candidate.

The UNP manifesto would focus on economic development and further stabilisation of the economy improved by Ranil Wickremesinghe, he said. The manifesto would also touch on many sectors that would affect the well-being of the country.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Secretary General Ranjith Madduma Bandara said this The sundaypapers that the party is also ready for general elections.

“Our presidential candidate is Sajith Premadasa. We have planned our national, district and grassroots election campaigns. We are holding rallies across the island to strengthen our party and gain more supporters.”

The manifesto, now being prepared, focuses on improving the economy and education standards, he said. It is based on making the country a place where young people want to live, he said.

This was stated by the Secretary General of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Sagara Kariyawasam The sundaypapers that the foundation for the presidential elections has been laid.

He said that meetings have been held in constituencies. Activities have been carried out to strengthen the party. There are also campaign-related plans.

According to him, all districts are ‘bala mandala‘meetings were held last week.

“We are ready to face the elections. In a week or two we will also name our candidate,” he said.

The party has taken a collective decision to appoint the candidate at the right time. Until then, the candidate will not be revealed.

“When the elections are called by the Election Commission, we will hold our meetings, district-wise. We will conduct our media campaign separately using digital media platforms and traditional campaigns to reach out to communities in rural areas. Door-to-door campaigning will also begin when the elections are announced,” he said.

Mr Kariyawasam said the manifesto was more or less complete and focused on economic development. It would not deviate from the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ ideology, which seeks economic revival by protecting national assets.

The National People’s Power (NPP), whose presidential candidate is Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has devised ways to woo ‘floating’ voters into supporting it.

Political parties holding meetings: SJB (top), JVP (bottom) and SLPP (bottom)

Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath said The sundaypapers that the NPP also wants to attract young people, Generation Z.

“We plan to use impartial digital media platforms and social media platforms for our campaigns. However, the NPP also plans to conduct some campaigns targeting its usual supporters but has given more priority to expanding the number of voters by targeting the youth and ‘floating’ voters.”

The manifesto, which is nearing completion, outlines economic recovery, political stability and anti-corruption measures.

Mr Herath said the group’s position on issues such as energy and agriculture has already been made public, with part of its manifesto including ways to tackle climate change.

The NPP is waiting for the EC to announce the election date to launch its manifesto.

“Without the exact election date and timetable, we cannot set dates for our rallies and meetings and plan our presidential election campaign.”

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is also waiting for the election date, but there are still major differences of opinion.

Dayasiri Jayasekera, secretary-general, said the party must first resolve legal cases and disputes among members.

SLFP sources say party factions have taken legal action against rival party leaders.

Meanwhile, some parties are forming alliances and planning to field joint candidates. The Frontline Socialist Party is one such party.

The propaganda secretary said the party will participate in the presidential elections under the name People’s Struggle Alliance.

The alliance that represents Aragalaya figures such as Wasantha Mudalige and Lahiru Weerasekera, will nominate a presidential candidate.

“We have not yet made a final decision on a candidate, we are in discussions,” he said.

This was said by Thissa Vitharana, leader of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP). The sundaypapersThe party has not yet decided who it will support.

A spokesman for the Sri Lanka Communist Party said it was keeping its options open on which candidate to support and that the politburo would decide. It is affiliated with the Sarvajana Balaya.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader, Udaya Gammanpila said the party is part of the six-party Sarvajana Balaya consortium, which includes Mawbima Janatha Party, Democratic Left Front, Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (Independent Parliamentarians Forum), Communist Party and Yuthukama National Organisation.

The alliance candidate will be announced on August 4, once the election date is announced by the EC. The manifesto has been launched. Election rallies are scheduled in all districts. The next election rallies will be in Anuradhapura and Jaffna, he said.

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