I am a political creature, will remain so irrespective of positions: President

Saturday, 27 January 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday kept speculation of a second term wide open, saying it was too early to make a decision, though confessing he is a political creature and will always remain so irrespective of positions.

He made this remark during a breakfast meeting with editors and media heads when he was asked about his decision to seek a Supreme Court ruling on the term of his Presidency and whether he was keen on a second term to finish his crusade against corruption and establish Yahapalanaya.

Sirisena said his accession to the Presidency was unusual as his predecessors were first either a Prime Minister or an Opposition Leader. “I wasn’t either of those; nor did I have any agenda to be one. In 42 days, I went from being a Minister to President. I have taken the responsibility to fulfill the role of the incumbent President. Whether I am contesting the presidential election in two years or not, it is not my goal to take such decisions today. I am focused on and keen to deliver on the current responsibility amidst challenges. I am not playing any games either,” he said.

However, Sirisena added: “I will do politics as long as I live. I am a political creature and will do politics with or without positions.”