SLFP is 59 Years:

Serving nation for better future

S S Sahabandu PC

The SLFP or the Sri Lanka Freedom Party becomes 59 years today (September 2). The SLFP was formed by the late SWRD Bandaranaike and a few devoted followers. The formation of the party became necessary when Bandaranaike resigned his portfolio in the UNP Government of that time and sat in the Opposition benches along with the late DA Rajapakse MP

Sri Lanka freedom Party’s origins lie in the political climate that prevailed in the island ever since Bandaranaike returned from the UK. The Ceylon National Congress which was the dominant political group of that time was monopolized by the old guard.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa

The formation of the SLFP was the second attempt by SWRD Bandaranaike to form a political party. The People Progressive Party was launched by Bandaranaike in 1926 and it attracted many young intellectuals. This party had several meetings with its Chairman Bandaranaike. The Progressive Nationalist Party even advocated a federal Government for Sri Lanka. This was at the time that a group of Kandyans advocated a federal Government and went before the Donoughmore Commission with this proposal.

Urban base

On the other hand, the unitary nature of the State was upheld by young men of that time like James T Ratnam. Bandaranaike soon went back to the Ceylon National Congress of which he became the Secretary. The Young Lanka League of A E Goonesinghe, the labour leader, was gaining a powerful urban base. It was at this juncture that Bandaranaike decided to take on this radical A E Gonnesinghe and contested the Maradana Ward in the Colombo Municipal Council. This election was held on December 14, 1926. The result showed that SWRD Bandaranaike had secured 1,801 votes and that A E Goonesinghe had got 615 votes. He had proved his stature in an urban strong hold by this result, though throughout he advocated the cause of the rural poor.

The Donoughmore Constitution brought about a new situation, especially with the introduction of universal franchise. The Donougmore Constitution without political parties was to prepare the country for independence.

The Westminster system came later with the Soulbury Constitution. Bandaranaike was unopposed for the Veyangoda constituency in 1931. Bandaranaike soon became the President of the Ceylon National Congress and became quite a figure in the political firmament of that time. Anagarika Dharmapala died in 1933 and there appeared a vacuum in the nationalist forces that had gathered from the turn of the century, with the temperance Movement, the Buddhist revivalist movement and the desire to use the national languages, national dress, national names and beliefs.

Universal franchise

The Donoughomore period brought in the masses to participate in Government by the introduction of universal franchise. Bandaranaike became the Minister of Local Government during this period. The LSSP, an organized political party entered the Council and it sent two representatives in 1936 to the State Council, Dr N M Perera and Philip Gunawardena. Bandaranaike continued with the Sinhala Maha Saba which became his main political instrument.

It was Bandranaike’s view that the Sinhalese must unite for further unity among the Sinhalese. The office-bearers of the party included Bandaranaike as its President and eight Vice Presidents who were such prominent men as C W W Kanangara, J L Kotalawela, Susantha de Fonseka, A Ratnayake Thomas Amerasutiya, G J S Kulatillake P T Pandithegunawardena and Ananda Rajakaruna.

There were three secretaries. They were, A P Jayasuriya, M P de Zoysa and T Mendis. The treasurer was D N Hapugalle. The Sinhala Maha Saba had close links with the All Ceylon Village Committee’s Conference, the urban District Councils of Ceylon Association and the Ceylon Ayurvedha Sammelanaya.

The Donoughmore period ended and the Soulbury Constitution brought in the party system and the Westminster style of government.

Yamuna Conference

The United National Party was formed to face the General Election of 1947. Bandaranaike became a Vice President. The UNP was an alliance of incompatibles. The Sinhala Maha Saba gave strength to the UNP. The UNP won only 42 seats in the Parliament of 1947 with a total pool of 744,054 votes. Bandaranaike refused to form an alternative Government under his leadership at the Yamuna Conference. D S Senanayake became the first Prime Minister, with Bandaranaike as leader of the House.

Soon, Bandaranaike was disillusioned with the UNP and he advocated the Madampe resolutions which ultimately lead the Sinhala Maha Saba to leave the UNP and the SLFP to be formed. The Madampe resolutions included many fundamental issues such as:

* An official language policy

* Buddhism and the Sasana to be given a special place

* Economy - landlessness to be solved

* A National Industrial policy

* Implementation of the recommendations of the Social Services Commission

* Essential services to be in the hands of the State.

* Development of Aryuvedha

* Changes in the public services

* Social evils like horse racing to be banned

* Foreign policy changes

The rejection of the resolutions lead to Bandaranaike and the Sinhala Maha Saba to leave the UNP and form the SLFP.

The party was formed after negotiation with various groups. Among the groups that Bandaranaike had discussions with were the Kandy Socialist Front, which had prominent members like H Sri Nissanka QC MP and T B Ilangaratne. The party was inaugurated at a meeting at the town Hall on September 2, 1951 in the presence of a large gathering.

The main objects of the party state in 1951 were as follows:

The party ‘Shall be known as the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and shall ordinarily be called the Freedom party.’

* To establish and to protect the political and economic freedom of Lanka and equality of status for the peoples with all others in the world.

* To guarantee to the nationals of Lanka the fullest opportunity for development and to secure to all who work the full fruits of their industry.

The first office bearers were:

President: SWRD Bandaranaike

Co-Secretaries: Bernard

Aluvihara

Baduideen Mohamed

S Thangaraja

Treasurer: Georage R de Silva

From the very beginning attempts were made to destroy the party and attack its leader. Bandaranaike was assassinated and the party faced a grave crisis. To face the crisis came a new leader, Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

She took the leadership and had a long reign as leader.

The party came into power twice during her leadership and she led it in Opposition even after civic disabilities were imposed on her.

The great feature of the SLFP was its ability to survive any crisis and adjust itself to changing situations. When the party faced defeats under the Presidential system, Chandrika Kumaratunge delivered the goods by winning Presidential elections twice.

With her departure the party cadres saw to it that the present President won the Presidential election in a tight race.

The SLFP is still in power after having defeated the LTTE and is now looking for a better economic future for our people. The SLFP's main base is the rural people and today it has support groups also among the minorities. The party has become a strong political force under the dynamic leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It has served the people for 59 years.