SLFP: rise of a celebrated party

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party was established on September 2, 1951. Then leaders such as late S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike, D.A.Rajapaksa, Bernard Aluvihare, H. Sri Nissanka and others laid the foundation to what later became a massive political entity. Sixty years later, the SLFP proudly stands as the strongest political party in the country.

Before 1948 Sri Lanka’s prime national need was to regain the lost independence. To achieve this the Sinhala Maha Sabha led by late S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and the Lanka Jathika Sangamaya joined and formed the United National Party. However, after gaining independence, the UNP-led government which came to power failed to fulfill people’s hopes and aspirations. The colonial mindset and systems remained intact to a large extent, thus alienating the political and social activists at the grass roots. Political and social change took place at certain levels but not the level desired by the majority of the masses.

To fill this vacuum and reacting to the pulse of the people, S.W.R.D Bandaranaike decided to leave the UNP. Ably supported by prominent political figures at the time such as D.A.Rajapaksa, H. Sri Nissanka and others, he formed the SLFP marking a significant milestone in the country’s political history.

1952 elections

Prime Minister D.S.Senanayake died in March 1952, and was succeeded by his son, Dudley.

The 1952 election was the first contested by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. The UNP won the elections securing 54 seats. The SLFP in its first outing had to be content with nine seats. Lanka Sama Samaja Party too won nine seats. S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike became the Opposition Leader.

Diverse groupings

The SLFP from the beginning treated everyone alike. It brought all social groupings under one roof. It gave both the common man and the intelligentsia equal opportunities. The rural and urban intelligentsia, consisting of the pancha maha balavegaya gradually came to the forefront of the political scene. The SLFP when appointing organizers gave preference to both professionals and genuine social workers alike. The party during its formative years was also ably supported by prominent lawyers in the country. Bernard Aluvihare – Matale, Sri Nissanka – Kurunegala, C.V.Ranawaka – Balangoda, K.M.P,Rajaratna and others were given nominations. Veteran politicians such as D.A.Rajapaksa – Beliatta, Jim Moonesinghe – Chilaw and Illangaratne – Kandy were in the forefront of organizing the SLFP as a prominent political force. Thus, the SLFP was able to nurture the social, cultural, religious and national forces essential for building a political force which would fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the masses.

Historic Victory - 1956

The SLFP led coalition Mahajana Eksath Peramuna tasted its first victory at the 1956 Parliamentary polls. The party started its election campaign in 1956 by holding its first political meeting in the sacred city of Anuradhapura. The 1956 election outcome was a watershed in the country’s political history, and was the first election that challenged the ruling United National Party. It was the beginning of a social revolution. The MEP on the occasion swept the board winning 51 seats. LSSP came second with 14 and Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kachchi (10) was third. The UNP suffered a humiliating defeat and was only able to secure eight seats. S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike became Prime Minister.

Demise of S W R D

Prime Minister Bandaranaike was assassinated during his third year in office in September 1959, at the age of 60. After Bandaranaike’s death, Wijeyananda Dahanayake, Minister of Education and the Leader of the House took over as caretaker Prime Minister. Later the leadership of the SLFP was given to S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike’s wife Sirimavo Bandaranaike. She went on to become the world’s first female Prime Minister when the SLFP-led coalition won elections in July 1960. Born on April 17, 1916, she was the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka three times, 1960-1965, 1970-1977 and 1994-2000. She was the leader of Sri Lanka Freedom Party for 40 years. Her second term saw a new constitution introduced, and Ceylon was renamed Sri Lanka and declared a republic. From 1994 to 2000, until her death, she held office as Prime Minister while her daughter Chandrika Kumaratunga was the President.

Chandrika Kumaratunga was the fifth President (and fourth to hold the office as Executive President) of Sri Lanka. She was the leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party until the end of 2005. She was Sri Lanka’s first female President. Kumaratunga herself was elected Prime Minister of the People’s Alliance (PA) government on August 19, 1994 and President in the Presidential election held shortly thereafter in November. This ended 17 years of UNP rule. She lost her right eye in an assassination attempt, by the LTTE at an election rally in 1999. However during this time, the real policies of the SLFP, the bedrock on which it was formed in 1951 was neglected. This alienated the genuine SLFPers to a large extent.

The golden era

With a raging conflict on one hand, the country also suffered economic setbacks and for the first time recorded a minus growth. Kumaratunga’s PA and the leftist JVP formed the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in January 2004. Having won the election held on April 2, 2004, the UPFA formed a government with Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. This was the first time in history that the JVP became a partner in a Sri Lankan government. Kumaratunga’s 12 year governance ended in 2005.

The fifth Executive President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Prime Minister, Member of Parliament, lawyer, human rights activist and trade unionist, hails from a family with a long tradition in people-oriented politics. He was elected Executive President in the election held in November 2005. He succeeded his father DA Rajapaksa to Sri Lanka’s Parliament in 1970, at the age of 24, the youngest Member of Parliament at the time.

One of the most salient features in his political career has been his loyalty to the party and his commitment to preserve SLFP policies. This resulted in him being elected to the office of Prime Minister after the General Eection of April 2004, when the United People’s Freedom Alliance, a coalition led by the SLFP, won a majority in Parliament. Later, he was chosen as the SLFP’s Presidential nominee in November 2005.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, since the beginning of his political career, has been a champion of labour rights and human rights. During the days of grave human rights violations under the UNP in 1988 – 89, when others feared to raise their voice against it in fear of their lives, Mahinda Rajapaksa took the lead in defending human rights. He raised the issue in both local and international forums with equal determination. During the height of terror, he took to the streets mobilizing people against the then-government’s atrocities. He fought for the democratic rights of the people. The hugely successful Pada Yathra garnered wide participation. He was also in the forefront of other campaigns which finally led to the defeat of the UNP in the General Election in August 1994. Later the SLFP won the Presidential polls the same year with party candidate Chandrika Kumaratunga being elected as the fourth Executive President.

Rajapaksa was Minister of Labour and Vocational Training and of Fisheries from 1994 to 2001. His close association with the people helped him to excel in his capacity as the Labour Minister. He was instrumental in creating the Workers’ Charter and introduced new vistas in the field of vocational training by establishing the Vocational Training Authority.

During his tenure as the Minister of Fisheries, he started a University for Oceanography and established a Coast Guard Unit. Housing schemes for fishing communities too were launched for the first time. He also held the portfolio of Highways and took a keen interest in the development of the country’s roads. After the General Elections of April 2004 in which the SLFP-led UPFA emerged winner, he was appointed the country’s 13th Prime Minister on April 6, 2004.

In 2005 when nominations were called for the Presidential elections, Mahinda Rajapaksa was chosen as the Presidential candidate of the SLFP. Later, a large number of other political parties too endorsed his candidature and joined to support him in a coalition. However, he had to fight not only the Opposition in his bid to become President but also certain forces within the SLFP itself.

However, the Lankan polity from all walks stood by him steadfastly and helped him to become the fifth Executive President of the country on November 19, 2005.

During his campaign to become President, he brought forth the true values of the SLFP to the forefront which attracted the common man and the intelligentsia alike. His policy vision Mahinda Chinthana was created on the bedrock of true SLFP policies.

He was committed to a negotiated solution to the long-standing conflict, continuance of social welfare policies such as free education and free health, strengthening the state sector, infrastructure development, giving pride of place to agriculture and local economy, developing rural areas on par with urban areas, protection of the environment and upholding traditional values and customs.

Crucial period

The initial period soon after his appointment was a crucial period in the country’s history. He showed considerable patience, in the face of repeated attacks by the LTTE both on civilians and security forces, with the intention of arriving at a negotiated settlement without bloodshed. He demonstrated his commitment to peace and negotiation by resuming talks with the LTTE.

However when a grave humanitarian crisis arose with the LTTE closing a sluice gate at Mavil Aru in the East, cutting off water for drinking, agriculture and livelihood for nearly 50,000 people, he took a determined stand.

The humanitarian operation launched to re-open the Mavil Aru sluice gate continued and finally ended up in defeating a terrorist organization considered as the most ruthless and most powerful in the world.

It is no doubt that ushering in peace by defeating the LTTE militarily is his biggest achievement to date. In the aftermath, the country has seen the biggest development drive in post-independent Sri Lanka. The country’s economic growth has risen to over eight percent and further impressive strides ahead are predicted. In the aftermath of the conflict, unprecedented efforts are being made at reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

New initiatives have been launched to take IT and English skills to the rural sector in keeping with the Mahinda Chinthana. New policies have been introduced to eradicate tobacco, alcohol and drug addiction.

The SLFP as a party is at its strongest today. The party machinery is well-oiled and runs smoothly with a well-manged grass roots branch network and other affiliated bodies. Opportunity has been given for the talented and dedicated to rise within party ranks sans differences. Having a strong senior second rung leadership and a talented and skilled young brigade augurs well for the party’s future.

All indications are that the present trend would continue and the SLFP with the help of other political stakeholders would govern the country and would continue to be the strongest political party for many more years to come.

This article has been written based on views expressed by a long-standing SLFP member and President's Counsel Dr.Jayatissa de Costa, in conjunction with the party's 60th anniversary celebrations.

President's Counsel Dr.Jayatissa de Costa has been a member of the SLFP since January 1969, Executive member of SLFP at the UK and Europe branch in London, former member of SLFP Samastha Lanka Karaka Sabha and Former Deputy President of SLFP Lawyers Association.