General election:

by Shamindra Ferdinando

The Election Commission (EC) has permitted political parties to change symbols before the handing over of nominations, in keeping with the Parliamentary Elections Act.Authoritative sources said so when The Island sought an explanation as to how the New Democratic Front (NDF) had changed its symbol ‘Swan’ to ‘Gas Cylinder’ to enable the UNP and main breakaway faction of the SLPP contest the parliamentary election scheduled for 14 Nov.

According to the amended constitution of that party, posted on the Election Department’s website, ‘Swan’ is its symbol.

Sources said that, however, there was legal provision for the change of symbol contrary to the party constitution approved by the EC. According to the party constitution, the primary objective of the NDF is to promote the vision and ideals of the late Lalith Athulathmudali.

The NDF first gained public attention in 2010 when the then retired General Sarath Fonseka contested on its ticket with ‘Swan’ as its symbol. Although the war-winning Army Chief failed, Maithripala Sirisena won the 2015 presidential election on the NDF ticket. The then UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa, too, contested the 2019 presidential election on the NDF ticket.

Political sources said that UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe could have contested on the NDF ticket at the recently concluded presidential election if the SLPP rebel group agreed. Wickremesinghe contested as an independent candidate.

MS Shyamila Perera, one-time aide to Athulathmudal, assassinated in April 1993, is the Secretary of the NDF whereas one of the Vice Presidents is Onela Karunanayake, daughter of former minister Ravi Karunanayake.

The NDF was in 1995, two years after Athulathmudali’s assassination, known as the Democratic United National Lalith Front. It was renamed as New Democratic Front in 2009 ahead of the 2010 presidential election.

Former Premier and MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena is on the NDF National List. NDF Secretary Shyamila Perera is second on the list. Ex-parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake is 10th on that list.

The SLPP grouping led by Gunawardena backed Ranil Wickremesinghe’s candidate at the presidential election. Wickremesinghe polled just over 2.2 mn votes at the presidential and came a distant third. Immediately after the election, the UNP leader declared he wouldn’t contest the forthcoming parliamentary election.