Former President, SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena has held a discussion with the leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance, Samagi Janabalawega MP Mano Ganeshan.
Mano Ganeshan told the media that they had to know the position of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party regarding the election system and to discuss it.
The meeting took place at Maithripala Sirisena’s official residence yesterday.
Leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance MP Mano Ganeshan added,
“Whether elections are held or not, there will be attempts to completely change the electoral system, abolish the proportional system, implement only the mixed system, undermine political policies and the representation of minority parties representing minorities, and bury the current multi-party democracy in this country.
The Elections Select Committee stated that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party has also expressed its support for the mixed system. At this meeting, I explained to the former President that this was contrary to the position previously expressed by the Leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Maithripala Sirisena and the General Secretary of the party Dayasiri Jayasekara. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party is the third largest party in the country today. In such a scenario, the proposed mixed electoral system will affect not only the Tamil and Muslim parties, but also the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, and JVP. I explained to Mr. Maithripala that it would also be a reason for the loss of the party.
At present, the Samagi Janabalawegaya and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) are also of the view that the proportional system should continue. Also, the Tamil Progressive Alliance, the Tamil National Alliance, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and the All Ceylon Makkal Congress, which represent the Tamil and Muslim communities, also support the proportional system. Leaders of allied parties, as well as minority parties with the government, have personally told me that they support the proportional system.
During the discussion, former President of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Maithripala Sirisena said, “The statement made by the PSC was wrong. The position of our party has not been expressed properly. We hope that the official team of our party will state our position in the near future. The SLFP does not accept the mixed system. We support the proportional system. Local government elections can be mixed. However, the proportional system is suitable for provincial and parliamentary elections. ”
“It is good that this country has an executive presidency. It is used to unite the country. But, similarly, a pluralistic parliament is needed to represent all political policies. That is why it is good for democracy in this country. This is our position,” he said.
