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Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse who has so far refused to be drawn into battle with MP Anura Bandaranaike over comments made against him by the latter yesterday responded strongly against attempts by his fellow partyman to bring up the topic of the next presidential candidate of the PA. In a clear broadside at Bandaranaike the Opposition Leader observed that there was a wide difference between the manner in which decisions were taken regarding a family property and the future of a political party.

Rajapakse also maintained that he had patiently withstood all insults and accusations and remained loyal to the SLFP continuously for over thirty years without betraying it for the sake of privileges offered by the UNP.

Even though the next presidential election was three and half years away the PA presidential candidate will be named in a fully democratic manner with the approval of the executive committee and central committee of the SLFP with the concurrence of the PA executive committee.

Excerpts of the Opposition Leader's statement:

Who is the next PA Presidential Candidate?

The above question which has no value or significance to any one else other than the UNP and the LTTE has been raised once again by Anura Bandaranaike MP.

1. Abolition of the Executive Presidency is a prime objective of the PA agenda. Her Excellency the President, myself and the party are committed to it as a fundamental national need.

2. Her Excellency the President is the leader of our party. She has the necessary physical and mental strength in adequate measure to continue in that office for another 3 1/2 years without any planetary affiliation.

3. According to the constitution the next Presidential election is due in 2005. This is 3 1/2 years after the date on which the Hon. MP is expressing his views on it. This is similar to the old saying Muhuda hath gawwak thiya Amudaya geseema.

4. Even on any relevant date the PA Presidential Candidate will be named in a fully democratic manner with the approval of the SLFP Executive Committee and the Central Committee and concurrence of the PA Executive Committee. There is a wide difference like a light year between the manner in which decisions are taken regarding a family property and the future of a political party.

5. Even leaving me aside it is unfair to neglect senior leaders like Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, D.M. Jayaratne and Anuruddha Ratwatte who have rendered great service to the party and bring them to disrepute. Similarly when there are new entrants to the Party like Dr. Sarath Amunugama and equally efficient people like Anura such as Mangala and Nimal who have rendered dedicated service to the party a stiff competition can be naturally expected in selecting a suitable person to a responsible position in the party, and boasting of this nature will undoubtedly create more crises within the party.

6. I have patiently withstood all insults and disparagement and remained loyal to the SLFP continuously for over 30 years without betraying it for the sake of privileges offered by the UNP. I have looked at every problem in a selfless manner because I know that the party and its followers will fall into the permanent doldrums if I think of self and my family.

7. Although I am in a position to give a direct answer to Mr. Bandaranaike's statement which includes some matters from the world of fantasy I am not doing so because it can lead to a division in the party. From the inception I believed that party unity is more important than the post of President or the opposition leader.

8. Signs of a snap general election are being indicated from the government side.

Historically an enemy's strategy will be to create dissension within our party on the eve of an election.

Experienced people used as pawns for this purpose are brought to the limelight at the proper time.

Therefore I sincerely request all SLFPers and PA supporters to make a firm resolve and unite to defeat UNP oppression and establish a PA government without trying to create various camps between the PA and friendly parties and precipitate crises within the SLFP.

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