Left Parties to work for PM's victory at poll
THE Group of Five Left Parties (Lanka Sama Samaja Party, Communist
Party of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Mahajana Party, Desha Vimukthi Janatha
Party and Democratic Left Front) consider that the Manifesto of
Presidential Candidate - Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse titled "Mahinda
Chinthana" a pro-people manifesto, although these parties have certain
reservations in regard to some of its contents, the parties said in a
statement issued yesterday.
The statement said: "The Five Left Parties are specially appreciative
of the pledges contained in the "Mahinda Chinthana" in respect of
strengthening democracy. The commitment to abolish the executive
presidential system and to draft a new constitution is one of its
important aspects.
The proposal to introduce a new parliamentary electoral system which
reflects the will of the people while ensuring the stability of future
governments is laudable.
Another important statement in "Mahinda Chinthana" is the undertaking
to pursue a non-aligned and progressive foreign policy under which he
seeks to further strengthen the friendly relations with Asian countries
including India and China in the spheres of political, defence and
economic cooperation.
The Manifesto states that steps will be taken to adopt a modern and
balanced economic policy which combines the positive features of the
open economy with the realities of our country.
Whilst increasing economic growth rate to 8% per annum measures are
to be taken to ensure that its benefits seep through to the common
people and particularly the low-income groups.
It is pledged that natural resources and state ventures in the
strategically important financial, energy and transport sectors will
remain in the hands of the state and no national resources, nor such
state organizations will be privatized.
We consider this outlook in regard to the economy as a positive
approach.
The measures mentioned in the manifesto to eliminate poverty, to
enhance the living conditions of the Samurdhi recipients, to increase
the incomes of wage earners, to restore the pension scheme that was
taken away by the previous government and to alleviate the burden of the
cost of living will certainly be welcomed by the common people.
The manifesto also promises to ensure the provision of irrigation to
paddy fields, to provide land for cultivation, to supply fertilizer at a
reasonable price and to fulfil other requirements of those engaged in
food production.
A comprehensive plan is to be implemented to produce seeds locally.
Whilst developing the agricultural sector through these measures
reasonable prices will be assured for agri-products. The Paddy
Purchasing Board is also to be re-established. In our view these
proposals are highly commendable.
People living in the plantations are to be provided with blocks of
land and separate housing units, the infrastructure of the plantations
as well as the human resources in those areas will be developed.
These measures will help elevate them to a social level on par with
the people of the rest of the country, thus bringing about an epochal
change in their pattern of living inherited from colonial times.
However, our Five Parties hold positions which are different to
certain concepts expressed under the heading "an Undivided Country - A
Majority Consensus and an Honourable Peace."
A negotiated political solution to the National Question confronting
our country could be successfully accomplished only by recognizing the
aspirations of the Tamil People inhabiting the North East. Due
recognition of their nationalistic and democratic rights is relevant in
this respect.
A solution can be achieved only by devolving power to the people in
the region where they comprise the majority, within the framework of a
united country.
At the same time it is necessary to meet the aspirations of the
Muslims and Sinhalese living in the North-East as well as to recognize
their legitimate rights and assure their security.
This is the reality we have experienced during the last
quarter-century. We believe that ignoring this reality cannot solve the
National Question. We earnestly hope that our presidential candidate
will eventually abide by this reality.
We are working with great dedication to have Prime Minister Mahinda
Rajapakse, elected as the next President of Sri Lanka.
This we do with-out prejudice to our reservations expressed above.
Our parties will in cooperation with those forces who share our views,
steadfastly work to bring about a majority consensus of the solution of
the National Question.
Although our position on the National Question is such, considering
the positive aspects of the manifesto stated earlier and the pro-people
personal qualities of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse these five Left
parties will pool all their strength and work together to ensure a grand
victory for him at the forthcoming Presidential Elections'. |