SLPP has not requested President to hold general elections first: Sagara Kariyawasam

20 May 2024 03:17 pm Views - 1632

Colombo, May 20 (Daily Mirror)- The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has not requested President Ranil Wickremesinghe to hold a general election first but only conveyed the opnion of the SLPP to the President, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said today.

"According to the law, dates for the presidential election is certain. President has powers to dissolve Parliament at any time after two and half years of its term.  The decision to dissolve Parliament is in the hand of the President. SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa informed the President that it is better to hold the general election first. The President will take the decision. We are ready to face any election, may it be the Presidential, General, Local Government or Provincial Council election," he told a news conference.

When asked whether the SLLP had requested the President to hold the General election first, he said the SLPP has not made such a request but only informed the party's opinion that it is better to hold the General election first.

When asked whether the SLPP will continue to support President Wickremesinghe, he said the SLPP has an agreement to support him only for the rest of Gotabaya Rajapaksa's term. 

"We have no agreement beyond that. The party will decide on the most suitable person for the Presidency. We have several candidates. We will name a victorious candidate at the right time," he said.