Mawbima Janatha Pakshaya
Mawbima Janatha Pakshaya මව්බිම ජනතා පක්ෂය தாய்நாடு ஜனதா கட்சி | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | MJP |
| Leader | Dilith Jayaweera |
| Senior Leader | Hemakumara Nanayakkara |
| Founded | 11 October 2023 |
| Headquarters | No. 11, Park Avenue, Colombo 08. |
| Ideology | Sinhalese nationalism |
| Parliament of Sri Lanka | 1 / 225 |
| Election symbol | |
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| Website | |
| mjp | |
The Mawbima Janatha Pakshaya (MJP) (Sinhala: මව්බිම ජනතා පක්ෂය, romanized: Mawbima Janathā Pakshaya, Tamil: தாய்நாடு ஜனதா கட்சி, romanized: Tāynāḍu Janathā Kaṭci) is a political party in Sri Lanka, founded and led by media mogul, entrepreneur and lawyer Dilith Jayaweera.[1][2][3][4][5] The party is a constituent member of the Sarvajana Balaya, a political alliance formed in 2024.[6]
History
[edit]The party headquarters was inaugurated on 11 October 2023, at Park Avenue in Colombo 08. Dilith Jayaweera assumed leadership of the party, succeeding former MP Hemakumara Nanayakkara, who assumed the position of senior leader of the party.[7][8][9] Ranjan Seneviratne is the party's General Secretary. Dr. Sarath Amunugama who was appointed as chairman resigned a few days after the party was created.
On 4 August 2024, MJP leader Dilith Jayaweera was announced as the presidential candidate of the Sarvajana Balaya in the 2024 Sri Lankan presidential election. The Sarvajana Balaya is a political alliance led by Jayaweera consisting of the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, Mawbima Janatha Pakshaya, the Democratic Left Front, the Communist Party of Sri Lanka and the Independent MP’s Forum.[6] Jayaweera submitted nominations from the Communist Party to contest under the "star" symbol.[10] Jayaweera finished in sixth place in the first round, winning 122,396 votes.[11]
The MJP contested in the 2024 parliamentary election as part of the Sarvajana Balaya, however the alliance failed to secure a single seat and only won one national list seat. The Sarvajana Balaya nominated Jayaweera as its national list MP.[12]
Ideology
[edit]The MJP, according to Jayaweera, emphasises an entrepreneurial approach to address the nation's challenges.[13] The party seeks to promote an entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging the youth to contribute to the nation's growth and attracting foreign income. Recognising historical challenges related to majoritarian nationalism, the MJP aims to bridge divides between communities.[14]
Jayaweera's close relationship with former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa prompts speculation[by whom?] about the party's future involvement in national elections.[15][16]
References
[edit]- ^ "National HQ of Dilith Jayaweera's Mawbima Janatha Party opens in Colombo". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. October 11, 2023.
- ^ "New headquarters of Mawbima Janatha Party declared open in Colombo". www.adaderana.lk.
- ^ ""Laying the foundation for a happier Nation" Dilith Jayaweera opens New party HQ". October 11, 2023.
- ^ https://elections.gov.lk/en/political_party/political_party_list_E.html
- ^ Today, Ceylon (October 11, 2023). "Mawbima Janatha Party office opens".
- ^ a b "Dilith Jayaweera named Presidential Candidate of 'Sarvajana Balaya'". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
- ^ "MJP opens Party HQ". Latest in the News Sphere | The Morning. October 11, 2023.
- ^ "Dilith Jayaweera Assumes Leadership of Mawbima Janatha Party, Eyes National Elections". asianmirror.lk.
- ^ "GR to back new political party?". www.dailymirror.lk.
- ^ "Dilith Jayaweera places deposits to contest Presidential Election". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
- ^ "Presidential Election 2024 – All island result – Without preferences" (PDF). Election Commission of Sri Lanka. 22 September 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "Sarvajana Balaya nominates Dilith Jayaweera as national list MP". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ Weerasooriya, Sahan (October 12, 2023). "Dilith Jayaweera launches new political party to tap 'rising' floating vote".
- ^ "'We don't want a nation run on loans' – Dilith Jayaweera". lankaleader.lk. November 22, 2023.
- ^ "Sri Lanka's new Mawbima Janatha Party to promote entrepreneurial mindset". October 12, 2023.
- ^ https://www.colomboguardian.com/dilith-jayaweeras-mawbima-janatha-party-opens-its-headquarters/57834/
