UNP says poll after 23 April under caretaker Govt.
Wednesday, 18 March 2015 00:00
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The UNP yesterday said that the General Election would be held after 23 April under a caretaker Government.
“As this Government has no mandate to govern the country after 22 April, Parliament will be dissolved soon after 23 April and a general election will be held under a caretaker Government,” Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P. Perera said.
He said the Government was confident that by then Constitutional and Electoral Reforms would be introduced with the draconian powers of the executive presidency pruned and the proportional electoral system replaced by a mixed electoral system.
The deputy minister said these changes were among the pledges given by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during the presidential poll campaign and also included in the 100-day program.
“The President and the Prime Minister are of one mind with regard to the dissolution of Parliament shortly after 23 April and for general elections to be held under a caretaker Government. The leader of the political party which has the largest number of members in Parliament will be appointed as Prime Minister and the leader of the political party which secures the second largest number of seats is to be appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister,” he said.
He added that the incumbent Government had not received a mandate for six years but a temporary mandate up to 22 April and therefore the Government had no right to remain in power after 23 April.
The deputy minister said the Government was confident that Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya would work out the modalities required for the mixed electoral system such as the demarcation of the electorates and other matters required to hold a general election within the stipulated timeframe.
