President extends open invite to all parties to support 100-day program

Monday, 26 January 2015 00:48 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday extended an open invitation to all political parties to support his 100-day plan for the country.

Speaking at an event in Polonnaruwa, the President said that he had no intention of taking revenge on anyone who voted against him at the election. He said that the last presidential election saw the most violations taking place where State resources were used by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa during the campaign ahead of Election Day. He also said that if he lost the election he risked a threat to his life and he was also aware of an attempt to arrest his family members. However, he noted that the support he had from the public and the political parties and organisations which supported him for President ensured he won the polls.

Sirisena also said that he had decided to accept the chairmanship of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) as he needs the support of the SLFP in Parliament to implement the 100-day program. The President said that he needs a two-thirds majority in Parliament to make constitutional changes and so he will work with the SLFP and other political parties in that respect. He also said that as President he will work with the Government towards ensuring the development of the Polonnaruwa District, his hometown, and also other parts of the country. (Colombo Gazette)

Ranil warns UNP members

United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday warned that the party will reconsider giving nominations at the next election to UNP members who go against party decisions. He said that while most UNP members had respected the party decision not to take revenge on the Opposition following the recent presidential elections, there are a few who had violated that decision. The Prime Minister was speaking at an event held in Polonnaruwa in celebration of the victory of President Maithripala Sirisena at the recent election. Wickremesinghe said that several sacrifices had to be made when the UNP and the other political parties decided to join hands and support Sirisena as President. He said that all this was done to introduce a new political culture in Sri Lanka and the UNP now wanted to see that new political culture continue. However, he said that some UNP members have gone against the decision by the UNP not to take revenge on anyone after the election. As a result, Wickremesinghe said that the UNP will reconsider giving nominations at the next election to UNP members who go against party decisions following the just concluded presidential elections. The President is to dissolve Parliament after April and hold parliamentary elections and the UNP is expected to contest independently at the election. (Colombo Gazette)