Agriculture Minister K.D. Lal Kantha says he does not intend to contest another parliamentary election from the Kandy District, while maintaining that the National People’s Power (NPP) government will continue to remain in power.
Speaking to the media, Lal Kantha was responding to questions over recent remarks by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that he had not entered office with the intention of remaining in power indefinitely and was prepared to take political risks even if they cost him his position.
Lal Kantha said there was no contradiction between the President’s remarks and his own statements that the current government would continue in power, arguing that the continuation of a political movement and an individual remaining in office were two different matters.
“The President may decide not to contest the next election. That is a matter for him and the party. But that does not mean there is nobody else from our side to contest,” he said.
Lal Kantha revealed that he himself did not intend to contest again from Kandy, saying he had not initially planned to contest at the last parliamentary election either and had done so following a request from President Dissanayake.
“I will work and remain in politics. There are enough people to contest elections. There is no requirement that we have to hold these positions until we die,” he said.
He argued that the present government was different from governments formed following conventional electoral changes, saying it had emerged following a major public uprising and subsequent elections that fundamentally altered Sri Lanka’s political landscape.
According to Lal Kantha, the circumstances that brought the NPP to power had also severely weakened the traditional opposition, making it difficult for an alternative political force to emerge.
He questioned whether there was currently an opposition political leader capable of becoming the focal point for voters opposed to the government, despite Sajith Premadasa officially holding the position of Opposition Leader in Parliament.
Lal Kantha said his confidence that the government would remain in power was therefore based on his assessment of the current political situation rather than simply a political slogan.
He also stressed that leaving Parliament or ministerial office did not amount to leaving politics.
Citing JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva, who has remained active in politics without serving as an MP or minister, Lal Kantha said political engagement should not be viewed solely in terms of contesting elections or holding government positions.
Referring to his own political career spanning more than four decades, Lal Kantha recalled that the JVP had continued its political work despite several major splits and setbacks over the years, eventually contributing to the formation of the NPP and its rise to power. (Newswire)