57th anniversary today:
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party Championing the cause of the masses
S.S. Sahabandu, PC
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party was inaugurated on or about September 2,
1951, at a meeting held at the Colombo Town Hall. Mr. S.W.R.D.
Bandaranaike, the leader of the party, in his inauguration speech, said:
“I venture to think that this is an occasion of some importance in the
political history of our country.
|
|
Prime Minister
S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike |
Primr Minister
Sirimavo Bandaranaike |
It not only marks the birth of a new political party - the Sri Lanka
Freedom Party - but also ushers in many ways, a new fact that has drawn
to this meeting such large numbers of citizens of all races, religions
and classes from all parts of the country.”
After the party was formed, what is the contribution it made to the
political life of this country? The Marxist parties constituted the main
Opposition to the Government of the time, the UNP. The SLFP for the
first time provided a viable democratic Opposition to the Government in
power.
This was more evident after the 1952 general election, in which the
party was defeated, but fared well for a party that was in its infancy.
For a Westminster style Government introduced by the Soulbury
Constitution, which replaced the Committee System of the Donoughmore
Constitution, a viable alternative Government was necessary. This
political void was fulfilled by the SLFP.
The SLFP participated in the struggles of the Trade Union movement of
that time, but its main support base came from the rural people. The
SLFP at that time was of the view that the newly-won freedom was not
meaningful and that the people, especially the rural masses were not
benefiting from the newly-won freedom.
They gave the impression that a set of Brown Sahibs had replaced the
white rulers of colonial times, by the conduct of the UNP Government.
If the SLFP was to be remembered when history was written and
assessed, it would be remembered for the victory of 1956. Many factors
may have contributed to this victory, but it brought about a great
change in the political life of the country.
This was a watershed, as old rulers like Disawas and Mudliyars were
deposed at the polls in 1956 and a new class close to the people like
Buddhist priests, Ayurvedic physicians and Teachers started wielding
influence in Government.
The National dress was proudly worn by the 1956 Cabinet; honours
given by the Queen were abolished and a Government that was close to the
people was established. Buddhism was fostered by the State and Buddhist
Pirivenas like Vidyodaya and Vidyalankara, were given the status of
Universities.
Greater democratization led to the General Election of one day and
the earlier system of staggered polls was given up. The first one-day
national poll was held in March, 1960. The July 1960 general election
paved the way for the SLFP to create history when Mrs. Sirimavo
Bandaranaike become the world’s first woman Prime Minister.
The SLFP was able to bring about many changes in the county at that
time, especially in the areas of social change together with the
nationalization of key sections of the economy.
Many attempts were made to bring the SLFP to unite with the UNP, but
this was resisted by Mrs. Bandaranaike, as this would lead to an erosion
of its base among the people. The SLFP’s main support base was on the
basis of its anti-UNP political stand and its alliance with the Left
parties.
The bad defeat of the party in the 1977 General Election led to a
long period in Opposition. During this period, many measures were taken
to weaken the party and destroy it: its leader Sirimavo Bandaranaike was
deprived of her civic rights; party activists were attacked, their
houses were burned and some were killed, and many thrown out of
employment.
However, the party withstood this onslaught. The electoral changes
that were brought about, were to keep the SLFP out of power.
The Presidential system of Government, by which the whole country
became one electorate, was also introduced to keep the SLFP out of
power. The introduction of proportional representation together with
bonus seat, was also a device to weaken the SLFP.
This was based on the theory that the UNP got more votes, but less
seats under the Westminster model.
The SLFP faced these challenges and produced an Executive President
with minority support and ended many years of UNP rule. The SLFP is a
party that has survived for 50 years and over, providing the voters with
a Government that is people-oriented and an Opposition that is
democratic.
|