11 January 2022 12:00 am Views - 323
Former President Maithripala Sirisena said it would be unrealistic for anyone to imagine the extension of the term of the present government by approval of people by referendum.
Mr. Sirisena who is critical of the government and in an exercise to revamp his Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said he believed the next parliamentary election would come first.
“Our party has begun to inform our representatives around the country and small-minded people of the Government are criticising us. They do not know that they received 6.9 million votes because of the active contribution of the SLFP. It is the duty of SLPP leaders to make them understand it,” he said.
He said, “When fuel price was increased during our government by two rupees, SLPP leaders protested by attending Parliament on foot cycles and asked rhetorical questions whether people were happy. The questions have backfired.
The country is in crisis because of fraud, corruption, prodigality and corrupt politics. None of the corrupt politicians have gone to jail ever since the independence.
In countries like China and Singapore, cases are finalised in not more than three months and punishments are given disregarding the status for stealing public property.
Local authorities election has been postponed for a year and provincial council election might be held due to foreign influences. If not, the general election will have to be held. Some are trying to extend the government’s term by holding a referendum. We are not ready for such measures and we will not allow such measures to be taken.
All except two governments established in Sri Lanka are political alliances and the next government to establish with a new programme to uplift the country will have SLFP as a major alliance,” he added.
SLFP electorate organisers including SLFP Matara District leader Hemal Gunasekara organised this meeting. UPFA General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera, SLFP National Organiser Duminda Dissanayaka, Propaganda Secretary Shantha Bandara, General Secretary State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, MP Shan Wijayalal de Silva, Former Chief Minister H. G. Sirisena, Devinuwara Electorate Organiser Nilanga Hendawitharana participated at the meeting.