I will contest as the Common Candidate – Maithripala Sirisena
Dealing a massive blow to the ruling UPFA alliance ahead of the presidential polls, Minister Maithripala Sirisena, who is the General Secretary of its main constituent party SLFP, today announced that he will contest the forthcoming Election as the Common Opposition Candidate.
“I thank all political parties and political groups for selecting me as the Common Candidate,” the Minister of Health said, speaking at a special press conference currently underway at the Colombo New Town Hall.
Sirisena said he never expected the opposition parties led by the United National Party (UNP) would pick him, the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), as the Common Candidate of the Opposition and expressed his gratitude.
He stated that today a catastrophe has befallen the rule of law in the country and vowed to bring forth a change.
He also pledged to abolish the Executive Presidency within 100 days of being elected as the President of Sri Lanka and the current election system.
The Minister said he would also reinstate the 17th Amendment and abolish the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, which allows for unlimited terms for the President.
Sirisena said that once elected he would appoint current Opposition Leader and UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
Sirisena’s defection from the government is the biggest political setback in recent times for the Rajpaksa government, who still enjoys considerable support after leading a military campaign to end a 25-year war against Tamil Tiger rebels.
Sisisena accused Rajapaksa’s administration of concentrating all power in his family and taking the country toward authoritarianism.
The press briefing was also attended by former President Chandrika Bandranaike Kumaratunga, Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne, Education Services Minister Duminda Dissanayake, Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs Deputy Minister M.K.D.S. Gunawardana, MPs Wasantha Senanayake, Arjuna Ranatunga and Rajiva Wijesingha.
Minister Rajitha Senaratne, speaking at the press briefing, said he is abandoning his ministerial portfolio, his privileges and is putting his life at stake to support Sirisena at the next Presidential Election.
He also apologized to the public for 18th Amendment to the Constitution, which he termed as a big “sin.”
Former President Chandrika Bandranaike Kumaratunga, also speaking at the press briefing, said that she would provide her utmost support to Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Election and thereby help rebuild this country.
Chandrika said that she endured various hardships during the 9 years after the end of her term as President and that even her children opposed her decision to re-enter this political movement, in fear for their lives.
Meanwhile it was earlier reported that the UNP’s G20 Election Committee and Parliamentary Group has endorsed Maithripala Sirisena as the common candidate to run for the presidential election.
(Ada Derana)
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Political dimension is only one issue in the country but bureaucracy, public sector inefficiency and bribery are very serious problem in the country.
This common candidate and alliance should take into account these factors after victory.
“He stated that today a catastrophe has befallen the rule of law in the country and vowed to bring forth a change. ”
Just wonder how he is going to implement this. Is he going to multiply himself like an amoeba to be everywhere Or is he going to rely on the same corrupted police and the bureaucrats to implement his anti- corruption and restoring the law drive? Voters should listen, think and ask questions. This is a country some politicians gave the promise that they would bring rise even from the moon and won the power. The one and the only objective of choosing Maithripala is the UNP, TNA and other phyco parties who can not form a government getting together to remove Mahinda Rajapaksha. Once that has achieved, either the country will stagnate for another few facades or fall apart due to pilical bickering and selfish hidden negotiations.
now. it is not good time to change . becose not yet finish ournorth east political problems. so again arise terrisom with another face.
This is the result of a conspiracy by Ranil, Chandrika, SF, JHU, Rev.Sobhita and the American Embassy against the majority Sinhala Buddhists. They would have got millions of US Dollars in the process of changing the regime.
This move provides hope to the common man.
Despite an excellent strategy by the opposition, Prezo MR will romp home to victory with the help of the Tamils who have supported MR since 2005.
The massive victory for Prezo MR will show to the world his popularity and true intentions of honest nation building.
The common man, who has benefitted from socio-economic policies of the Prezo MR will demonstrate allegiance not only for the third term but maybe, up to the fifth term.
Solid and unfailing support from the Tamils who identify themselves with the national political thread and who are flourishing sans the gun culture of the LTTE, will ensure Prezo’s return to power.
I agree with Nihal Fernando. It is indeed a conspiracy by USA and British who realised that opposition has no common candidate so fished around for the best traitor from within UPFA for the best chance of unseating Hon Mahinda Rajapaksa who saved the country from the torture of LTTE, with the help of his brother, GR as Defence Sec.
Shame on you maithripala sirisena! You should be utterly routed by the common man of this great nation who will never forget the traitor Ranil who signed away the N & E to VP and the LTTE. If MS were to win, with the traitor Ranil as PM, the country will be divided and sovereignty given to treacherous diaspora Tamils led TNA. That would be the end of SL and the Sinhala nation. I wonder how musch it took to bribe this traitor.
He is Judas. He is Brutus. MR must have thought, “Et tu Brute”!
THIS IS TRATOR FROM EUROPE COUNTRY .SRILANKA AGAIN COME WAR. AND TANOTHER TRATOR RANIL WILL BE PRIME MINISTER?
I don’t see any chance of winning by common candidate.
His attempt is to give powers to UNP Ranil and people will not vote to bring Ranil back in power.
In another way its a BIG cheating to the voters who supports to common man and then he handed over it to another.
As he said in his last speech, it will be indeed his last speech as a government representative in any sorts.