Single Issue, Common Candidate And The Thorny Question Of Sri Lanka’s Executive Presidency
Manny Thain
Your ongoing debate on tactics for a future presidential election is being read with interest far beyond the shores of Sri Lanka. All those – and there are many – who oppose Mahinda Rajapaksa’s regime are grappling with this question.
As some readers may be aware, campaigns such as Tamil Solidarity promote a strategy of linking up oppressed people from all backgrounds, and we are closely linked to the trade union and workers’ movement in Britain. As the joint national secretary of this campaign in the UK I can report that we pay very close attention to all developments in the movement of opposition to the current regime in Sri Lanka.
Naturally, the discussions in Sri Lanka are echoed in Britain, and it has been interesting to read Kumar David’s strategy for the future presidential elections: Single Issue, Common Candidate, Road Map (SI-CC-RM).
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/dont-elect-a-cat-to-defend-the-mice-a-response-to-kumar-david/(TU Senan, 5 July)
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/single-issue-or-single-purpose-with-many-issues/ (Dr Laksiri Fernando, 5 July)
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/knotty-bonds-with-the-executive-presidency/ (Kumar David, 13 July)
Given the nightmare facing the vast majority of the population in Sri Lanka – land grab and settlements in Tamil areas, attacks on Tamil Muslims, clampdown on the press, cutbacks and privatisation plans in the public sector, etc, etc – the need to find a way out is urgent. The desire for unity among all those in opposition to the current regime is strong.
It is not, of course, a simple matter. Clearly, Kumar David believes he has found the answer. His strategy raises a number of fundamental issues, including the thorny questions of how to unite disparate groups around a single issue, and who the common candidate could possibly be. Before raising some points for consideration on those, however, it might be worth looking at the ultimate aim. Read More
