…promises self-determination

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Wasantha Mudalige on behalf of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) said that though Aragalaya managed to compel Gotabaya Rajapaksa to give up his presidency and flee the country in July 2022 it couldn’t achieve what he called system change, hence the decision to form an alliance ‘Jana Aragala Balaya’ to contest future elections.

Addressing the media at Lions Club centre at Wijerama Mawatha, Mudalige said that instead of changing the course of Sri Lanka’s direction, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, with the backing of the SLPP was pursuing the same disastrous policies that caused bankruptcy.

The former student leader cited the increasing of external debt to a staggering USD 100 bn from USD 84 in July 2022 when Wickremesinghe took over to prove further deterioration of the economy. The FSP is one of the breakaway factions of the JVP with the other led by Wimal Weerawansa ending up with ‘Sarvajana Balaya.’

Having caused further deterioration and irreparable damage, a foolish attempt was being made to deceive the public with regard to the status of the economy, the student activist said.

Mudalige warned that political and economic stability couldn’t be restored through Wickremesinghe-SLPP policies that were intended to promote their own interests and those of the likes of Adanis.

Pointing out another disastrous IMF remedy charging taxes on owner occupied and vacant residential houses on imputed rents from April 2025, Mudalige emphasised the need for a total overhauling of the system. The FSP frontliner called for immediate withdrawal from the IMF deal worth USD 2.9 bn and end to Indian expansionist drive here.

Declaring the pivotal importance of giving an opportunity to the electorate to take political decisions, Mudalige called for the enactment of a new Constitution.

Assuring the public of a pragmatic plan to save them from an utterly corrupt and despotic system, Mudalige declared their determination to build up political power both in and outside parliament.

Among those who called for complete overhauling of the existing system were V. Mahendran of Marxist Leninist New Democracy party, Attorney-at-Law Swasthika Arulingam, journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara, Dr. Kalpa Rajapaksha, Dharmasiri Lankapeli of Samajawadi Janatha Sansadhaya, Duminda Nagamuwa of FSP, aragalaya activist Wire Wirasingham, Surekha Amarasena of Sthiriwadi Sanvidhanaya, aragalaya activist Raj Kumar Rajiv Khan, Hude Namal of Fisheries sector grouping, Ven. Wakandawela Rahula representing environmental organizations, lawyer Nuwan Bopage, Nirosha Guruge representing the interest of micro finance scams, Lahiru Weerasekera, actor Jehan Appuhamy , estate sector representative Marcus Prabhakar, Aragalaya activist Nur Morieen and economic analyst Danusha Gihan.

Urging the electorate to recognise the role played by those who made Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster possible, Duminda Nagamuwa warned President Wickremesinghe not to seek postponement of presidential and parliamentary polls scheduled for later this year and next year, respectively. Nagamuwa said that they would contest both national polls.

The FSPer said that ‘Jana Aragala Balaya’ would take stand on contentious issues without hesitation. In respect of economic policy, Nagamuwa declared that the country should terminate the deal with the IMF. The new grouping declared that self-determination was the answer to the national question.

Uduwaragedara said that while all other political parties hesitated to state their stand with regard to the national question, ‘Jana Aragala Balaya’ declared a formula based on self-determination. The civil society activist emphasized that they wouldn’t allow the return of the Rajapaksas.

Danusha Pathirana alleged that the IMF remedies were not meant to help Sri Lanka recover but to manipulate the country in a manner advantageous to external investors at all levels. Pathirana explained how the IMF manipulated the country with ease as the powers that be blindly cooperated with them.