The SLFP at 60:

A people’s party in the making

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

I am proud to have a leader in the calibre of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who could develop the country and convert it into the Wonder of Asia, at a time when the SLFP celebrates its 60th anniversary, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne during an interview with the Daily News said.

President Rajapaksa ended a 30-year-old war while maintaining an economic growth rate of eight percent which had not been possible in other countries, he added.

Today Prime Minister D M Jayaratne celebrates his 60th anniversary in politics as the SLFP celebrates its 60th birthday.

Q: How was the SLFP born and how did it march towards the present day victories?

A: The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was born 60 years ago on September 1, 1951 after the performance of religious activities at Sri Dalada Maligawa with the participation of late Prime Minister S W R D Bandaranaike and a few others. It was officially launched the following day (September 2). I was the 13th person to obtain the party membership. I was a teacher at that time. Later six Members of Parliament along with SWRD Bandaranaike resigned to form the SLFP and D A Rajapaksa, the father of the present President, was one of them.

Ven. Buddharakkitha Thera wanted Philip Gunawardena removed from the SLFP, but I opposed it as Gunawardena was not at that meeting which was held at Kelaniya in 1957. Only the elite were with D S Senanayake. But SWRD Bandaranaike had a mixed group both rich and poor, elite and non-elite especially the ordinary people such as labourers, farmers, teachers, bhikkus, etc. The first SLFP government was formed on April 12, 1956. The harbour, bus service etc were nationalized. The Cultural Affairs Department was established. Ven. Buddharakkitha Thera wanted to form a committee and take over shipping, but SWRD Bandaranaike did not agree to the idea and rejected it. After his death, W. Dahanayake became the Prime Minister. Initially, Mrs. Bandaranaike rejected the idea of becoming the SLFP leader but later accepted it. The SLFP lost power in 1960. The SLFP later won the June elections and Sirimavo Bandaranaike was appointed Prime Minister. The SLFP lost power again in 1965 and won in 1970.

In 1972, Sri Lanka became a Republic. Estates were nationalized. Tea, rubber and coconut estates were nationalized. Housing facilities were provided to the people. The Paddy Lands Act was implemented. Friendships were built with foreign countries, especially with India. Late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi handed over the Kachchativu island to the Sri Lankan government. The Non-Aligned Summit was held in Colombo. This was how the SLFP was strengthened.

I knew that former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga could win the election and wanted her to contest from the Western Province. I took consent from late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. I supported the former President to become the Western Province Chief Minister. Mrs. Bandaranaike did not like the idea of letting her daughter contest or become the Chief Minister. But I managed to convince her. After Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga became the President, the UNP regime signed the pact with the LTTE.

Q: How do you feel about being in the SLFP for 60 years?

A: Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected as the Opposition Leader with the consent of all party members. Some party members were neutral; neither supporting nor opposing him. But he had the support of the others at all levels. He won the Presidential Election in 2005 and recorded a historic victory in 2010 for the second time. At that time the UPFA government had only 74 seats in Parliament but now it has two third majority.

A five member committee has been appointed to appoint commissions such as the Elections Commission. President Mahinda Rajapaksa ended a 30-years-old war while maintaining an economic growth rate of eight percent which had not been possible in other countries. He won the friendship of many foreign countries and established national unity and harmony among ethnicities. Over 5.1 million people observed Sil during Sambuddhathva Jayanthi celebrations.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa launched a massive development drive and commenced the construction of harbours, airports, highways, power projects etc. He laid concrete roads in rural villages. This has been done for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history. Divi Neguma programme is now in progress. It will upgrade the living standards of the 3.5 million families in Sri Lanka within four years. Sri Lanka is lucky to have President Rajapaksa and I am proud to have a leader of his calibre who can develop the country, who could convert Sri Lanka as the Wonder of Asia at a time when the SLFP celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Q: What are the milestones you passed during the past 60 years?

A: I was invited on three occasions to join the UNP and lead it. The invitations came directly from people who led the UNP in the past as well as past Presidents of Sri Lanka. But I refused all their invitations and stayed with the SLFP.

I maintained a cordial relationship with all UNP leaders and they helped me when I was in trouble. I was arrested and imprisoned many times in the past purely for being involving in clean politics. The arrests started with the inception of the SLFP.

The long dark era of the SLFP ended with my involvement in winning the Southern Provincial Council in 1989. The people did not like the UNP regime and wanted to get rid of it. But they were silent due to fear. They lost this fear after I engaged in a conflict in connection with the Suriyawewa SLFP office and showed the power of the SLFP by defeating the UNP thuggery. The winning stream of the SLFP commenced with that incident. It continued afterwards.

Q: What is the aim of anti-Sri Lankan foreign elements?

A: The wife of Thamil Selvam, second in command of the dead LTTE leader says that nobody turned up with white flags and all terrorists were killed while fighting with the armed forces. She further says that the Sri Lankan armed forces rescued them and their families, and treated them with utmost care and kindness. It is the NGOs which fabricate lies, promote and publicize them with hidden agendas and evil objectives.

The so called ‘Tamil Diaspora’ is promoting racism and creates hatred among ethnicities living in Sri Lanka. All ethnicities now live in Sri Lanka in peace and harmony without any problems.

The diaspora cultivates hatred and anger in the minds of the people with utter lies and fabrications. National unity has now been achieved by the people of Sri Lanka after 30 long years.

Q: What do you think about the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee in finding a political solution to the ethnic issue?

A: The Parliamentary Select Committee is the best option to find a collective solution to the ethnic issue. The Parliament is the main legislator in the country. Even a new constitution should be approved by the Parliament with two thirds majority. All political parties must get together, discuss and come to consensus through the proposed committee.

A solution cannot be given only to the areas where the Tamil people live because over 1.3 million Tamil people live not only in the North and East but also in other parts of the country, especially in Colombo. Around 900,000 Tamils live in the North and around 400,000 live in the East. But the majority live in other parts of the country. They have many differences among themselves as well. The Tamil people live with Sinhalese and Muslims in peace and harmony without any trouble.

Many discussions were held in the past with the representation of almost all parties and groups to find a solution for the ethnic issue but all attempts failed due to the dishonesty of the LTTE. The LTTE was always unfaithful. They strengthened military during peace talks. This happened since the Thimphu discussions.

The government spent the last two years to ensure the well-being of the IDPs and resettle them in their places of origin with all facilities. Local politicians never thought about the Sri Lankan people. They were always eying at grabbing political power and retaining it. That is how the ethnic issue was born and existed for such a long time. People belonging to all ethnicities live in peace and harmony because they respect each other. Now all political parties have the opportunity to get together, hold discussions and find a solution.