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JR’s grandson enters politics through the SLFP; opposes new Constitution
View(s):Former President J.R. Jayewardene’s grandson Pradip Jayewardene has announced his arrival into politics and expressed his willingness to contest as the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) mayoral candidate for Colombo. He told journalists he had also been approached by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and invited to join the Joint Opposition (JO).
“I didn’t reply Mr Rajapaksa but, on my own, requested the SLFP to include me as a candidate in the Local Govt Elections to contest for the post of Mayor of Colombo,” he revealed. Mr Jayewardene has also been appointed as SLFP Organiser for Gampaha. Speaking to journalists during a media briefing arranged to announce his entry into party politics, Mr Jayewardene was highly critical of the proposed new Constitution. He said he does not understand the passion of the United National Party (UNP), the party that created the current Constitution, towards dismantling their own conception. “The SLFP, by contrast, has no interest in changing the Executive Presidency system. Therefore, I am currently with the SLFP,” he explained.
Speaking on his decision to enter politics from the UNP’s arch rival, Mr Jayewardene pointed out that his grandfather too, came to politics from the Communist Party. As such, he stressed he sees nothing wrong in coming to politics from a separate party. Defending the Executive Presidency, he refuted allegations that his grandfather created the Executive Presidency to enjoy power, were wholly incorrect. He claimed it was created in the best interest of the country.
Mr Jayewardene claimed he decided to enter politics after witnessing a real danger to the country from a new Constitution. “If such a Constitution is approved, the power of the Central Govt will be dissolved, while abolishing the Executive Presidency at the same time will create disorder,” he opined. “Moreover, there is no consensus within the proposed new Constitution,” he said, pointing out that the views of different political parties are poles apart. He said he intends to speak to those of the UNP, JO and SLFP over the issue.
“I have the ability to talk to all the political parties, to defeat the newly proposed Constitution. I have a history with the UNP. Therefore, I can speak to them, I can also speak to Mahinda Rajapaksa, because I had a history of working with him when I was the Consul General in Germany. His party is strongly opposed to Constitutional amendments,” he said.
Mr Jayewardene observed public opinion should be mobilized against the proposed Constitution, adding he would do his part by creating awareness during his political campaign.