3 January 2023 01:54 am Views - 218
By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama
All political parties that were in alliance with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will compete in the upcoming local government elections under the Pohottuwa symbol, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said.
Addressing the media at the weekly media briefing, he said the focus of the whole country is on the upcoming local government polls.
The elections commission has already announced that the relevant gazette notification on the above matter will be issued immediately. As a party, we have come to a collective decision with all other allegiance parties to contest the election under the Pohottuwa symbol.
We will start our work as soon as the gazette notification is issued. We also had some discussions with the United National Party (UNP). But now we have reached a decision to compete under Pohottuwa symbol. However, the majority of local government bodies are contesting under the banner of Pohottuwa.
“A direct decision has not yet been taken on an alliance with the UNP. There has been an exchange of views between the two parties. Apart from that, no decision has been taken as yet. “However, the negotiations are not over either,” Kariyawasam said.
“We believe that the SLPP can win the majority of divisions in the upcoming local government elections,” he expressed hope.
“As a party, we are always in the position that we should not burden the people by increasing the fuel or electricity bills.” We also protested as a party when the former energy minister increased the price of fuel. “We have always held the opinion that the people should be given the opportunity to rise economically without being burdened by the increase in prices and the decision should be taken only after that,” Kariyawasam added.