Socialist People’s Alliance warns of militarisation of politics

M.P. Muttiah

The Socialist People’s Alliance warned the people on the imminent danger of militarization of politics. The Alliance leaders at a press conference yesterday also urged the people to be vigilant.

Democratic Left Front leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara said although the UNA candidate was not in uniform, his military mentality would not change. Nanayakkara alleged that Sarath Fonseka sought to bring army into politics and it was a serious matter.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa brought a new era by ending the war. For the country to develop, the re-election of President Rajapaksa was essential, he added.

Sri Lanka Communist Party General Secretary and Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Minister DEW Gunasekera said it was necessary to analyse international problems scientifically and realistically.

The world was not as it was 10 years ago. Attempts were made to introduce new Liberal policies into the Third World. Imperialists wanted to change the face of Sri Lanka through these policies of Washington Consensus. Five Indian states were under the threat of terrorism. It was President Rajapaksa who brought an end to the war that took thousands of lives, he added.

Gunasekera said all past Presidents of the country - from J.R. Jayewardene to Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga - made efforts to solve the ethnic problem through negotiations. However, they did not succeed since the LTTE did not show flexibility. Even President Rajapaksa tried the same method. There was no way left for him except to find an end to the LTTE, he said.

The Minister added there was a new thinking flourishing in the North and East. The present trend of politicizing of military and militarization of politics was a new trend which is dangerous to the people. If Fonseka was elected President he would not find it difficult to militarize politics since he would automatically assume the power of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Because of President Rajapaksa, democracy had been saved. The candidature of the ex-army officer was a conspiracy hatched by western countries to derail the economic successes with the new liberal policies, Gunasekera said.

LSSP leader and Science and Technology Minister Professor Tissa Vitarana said President Rajapaksa faced many challenges and crises during the past four years.

“When compared with other countries Sri Lankans shouldered less burden from the financial crisis of the western countries.” He added that the LTTE was not only a terrorist outfit but also a separatist movement. It was President Rajapaksa who eliminated these two evils, he said.

The Minister said the APRC document was submitted to President Rajapaksa. “He would implement suggestions mentioned in the document after the election.”

Professor Vitarana said it was the President’s wish to produce essential items such as sugar within the country instead of importing them. He said during the UNP’s short lived rule, no employment was given and wages were not increased. There were problems of salary anomalies and that would be solved by President Rajapaksa after his re-election, he added.

Alliance’s Secretary Raja Collure chaired the press conference.