President declines life Presidency of the SLFP

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on Sunday turned down a unanimous decision by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee and the All Island Executive Committee to make her life President of the SLFP.

President Kumaratunga described this move as being without precedent which according to her could lead to the party assuming a dictatorial image.

The President referring to the re-alignment of the SLFP with the JVP acknowledged that the move was a good one adding that she too had always made it a policy to put together as many political parties as possible and move forward, recalling the formation of the People's Alliance with 14 political parties.

She said she ensured that no divisions took place within the coalition and this unity enabled the SLFP-led People's Alliance to to win 13 out of 14 elections.

Though she was not against the party forging a united action plan with the JVP, the President nevertheless stressed that this should not be at the expense of compromising the party's policies.

She emphasised that care should be exercised to ensure no agreement is reached that would weaken or erode the base of the SLFP.

Similarly no room should be left for any outside force to hijack a section of the party through a unity forged by compromising party policies. Asked why she declined to assume the powers, authority and responsibility the Executive Committee conferred on her, the President observed that the SLFP had been a democratic party from the outset and that there had never been a life President of the party at any time in its history.

The President told her party members that she always believed in democracy and as such would rather prefer to take up the presidency or any other post of the party only through a vote by the membership.

A life Presidency of the party went against her principles.

She said she will hold the post of Party President only as long as the membership elected her for the post. She was of the firm view that the membership had the freedom either to elect or veto the President of the party.

She also warned that if a post of life President is created, this would lead to the party not being able to function for any length of time.

The Central Committee and the All island Working Committee on Sunday unanimously decided to amend Section 5(1) of the Party Constitution to enable President Kumaratunga to function as life President of the Party, a move which she declined.

This repudiation by the President of the life Presidency with all powers had caused a stir among the membership present. Senior Party members addressing the President insisted on her assuming the post stressing that this post was in lieu of the service she had rendered to the country, party, society, culture and especially to the country's education.

Around 800 members were present at the meeting and the proposal endorsed by the Central Committee was forwarded to the All Island Executive Committee by SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena.

The President declining the post caused much heartburn among the Party membership pleading with her with tear-filled eyes to accept the post. Thanking them for their sentiments, the President said her act was based on a policy decision and done with the intention not making this a precedent.

Among the other resolutions adopted at the meeting:

(I) Deputy Party President.

I(a)A nominee of the SLFP who contests the Presidential Election, if elected as the President shall be the ex-officio Deputy President of the SLFP upon assuming office of the State Presidency and continue to be so as long as he holds that office.

I(b)In the event of a party nominee losing the Presidential Election, the Prime Minister chosen by the SLFP shall be the ex-officio Deputy President of the Party as long as he holds the office of Premiership.

When the provisions of II-I(a) and I(b) are not applicable, the Executive Committee shall elect the following office bearers including the Deputy President:

(II)4 Senior Vice Presidents (III)10 Vice Presidents, (IV)General Secretary (V)National Organizer (VI)7 Assistant Secretaries (VII) Treasurer.

(III)The Executive Committee is empowered to formulate proposals to amend party policies and the party Constitution.

(IV)The Executive Committee is empowered to organise necessary arrangements relating to all elections and other party activities as delegated by the Central Executive Committee.

(V)The Party President of the SLFP shall appoint a five member Finance Committee under the Chairmanship of the Treasurer to control the party funds. Other than the powers and responsibilities assigned to the Board of Trustees under article 30 of the party Constitution, the entire gamut of Financial Control shall be exercised through the Finance Committee.

(VI)The Executive Committee should meet at least once in three months. The membership of an Executive Committee Member who is absent without prior approval for three consecutive committee meetings shall cease. The Executive Committee should take steps to fill the vacancy. Article 13

Sub-section (I) of Article 13 is amended by deleting "25 officers" and substituting "26 officers" therefor.

Article 15

The following new paragraphs are added to Article 15.

15(I)The powers of the Party President: (a)Exercise of the recommended powers delegated under the Party Constitution.

(b)The Party President is empowered to convene special meetings of any organisation affiliated to the party including the Central Executive Committee, or the All Island Executive Committee or the Executive Committee.

(c)The Party President is empowered to suspend membership of any member or activities of any organisation in the interest of prestige, welfare or proper conduct of the party.

(d)In the event of suspension of membership under this section, that fact must be reported to the Central Executive Committee within 14 days of such suspension and the Central Executive Committee should initiate disciplinary action within 28 days of such report.

(II)The Party President is fully empowered to appoint or remove from office the electoral organizers or district organisers of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. The Organisers so appointed must abide by the provisions of the Party Constitution and adhere to rules and regulations issued from time to time. They must safeguard the dignity and discipline of the party while dedicating themselves to popularise the party among the masses.

(III)Disciplinary Board.

The Central Executive Committee shall appoint a five member Disciplinary Board to facilitate strict discipline in all sections of the entire party. The Party President and the Secretary must decide the responsibility and task of the Disciplinary Board and the number of members constituting every disciplinary inquiry.

The Central Executive Committee shall have powers to appoint special Boards of Inquiries outside the members of the Disciplinary Board when the circumstances so warrant.

Article 16

Article 16 is amended by adding the following paragraphs.

(I)Political Management Committee:

The Political Management Committee comprises the following office bearers: The Party President, the Deputy President, the General Secretary, the Treasurer, the National Organiser, the party member who holds the office of the Premiership or in the alternative any office bearer appointed by the Party President.

(II)The Political Management Committee shall function as the advisory body on policy decisions according to the party constitution, as far as major national, political, social and economic problems affecting the country and party are concerned.

(III)A SLFP party member while holding office representing the party or any of its fronts, in the discharge of his responsibilities, is bound to abide by the policy decisions made under Article 16(II) stated above.

(IV)The Party President shall be the Chairman of the Political Management Committee. If he/she is not being available, the Party President, should nominate the Deputy President to be the Chairman of the Political Management Committee.

(V)The Chairman of the Political Management Committee should convene its meetings. Any member of the Political Management Committee as well as the Central Executive Committee can make a request to convene a meeting of the Political Management Committee.

(V)Advisory Council:

The Central Executive Committee shall appoint an Advisory Council consisting of one representative from each District and specialists engaged in various other fields. The Central Executive Committee will decide the functions of the Advisory Council. The Political Management Committee may consult the Advisory Council whenever necessary on problems of national importance.