CR declares creation of his new party

Leader of the 43 Brigade, Patali Champika Ranawaka, MP, yesterday announced that he would launch a new political party, the Sri Lanka Republican Front (SLRF) on May 22 when the country marks its 51st anniversary of becoming a republic.

“There is a clear need for a new party. The country is bankrupt, as is the country’s existing political parties and political system. There’s a need for a platform for a new group,” said Ranawaka.

Ranawaka was in Kandy to extend formal invitations to the Maha Nayake Theras.

“At yesterday’s election in Thailand, a new and young party won more votes, and traditional parties were wiped out. That’s happening in this country, too,” said Ranawaka, referring to Thailand’s reformist opposition, which won the popular vote in a general election that saw the Buddhist nation’s military-led parties roundly defeated.

Asked who the new faces the people could expect to see in his novel party, Ranawaka said the media would find out soon enough.

The MP also refused to comment on the SJB, which appears to be grappling with a problem of defections to the government. It’s not his business, Ranawaka said.

Ranawaka said that he had demonstrated his ability to deliver results. “Without us, the thirty-year war would never have ended,” he said, recalling the JHU’s push for a military defeat of the LTTE under President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“Nor would Mahinda Rajapaksa have ever been defeated had we not come forward,” he added.

“We have set the example on how to run state-owned enterprises at a profit and free of corruption,” the MP claimed.

The SLRF on May 22 would unveil a plan to rebuild the country in three years, said Ranawaka.

“We have achieved results. I think the people will give us a chance,” he said.

The JHU has been criticised over the years for what some have deemed its hawkish stance. However, Ranawaka now believes that, while counter-terror legislation is necessary such laws must not be abused.

“An act is necessary to prevent terrorism, but we are against the formulation of acts that seek to suppress democratic and human rights,” Ranawaka said.

Asked if he would support President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government in its more salient efforts to revive the country, he said: “Whether it’s Ranil Wickremesinghe or the Opposition Leader, we will support measures that anyone takes as long as it’s for the progress of the country.”