I will decide who becomes PM: Sajith

New Democratic Front (NDF) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said yesterday that it was he who would decide who the prime minister would be after he assumes office as the president next month.

Speaking at a campaign rally at Horana, Mr. Premadasa said that only the law and order portfolio of his future administration has been decided to be assigned to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and no decision has been taken about other portfolios.

"We had more complex issues within the party which were resolved very successfully and amicably. The issue about the prime minister's post would be a minor one as the law provides for the president to appoint the person who commands the confidence of the parliament as the prime minister," he explained.

Speaking about the agreements that are to be signed between Sri Lanka and other countries, Mr. Premadasa stated that he would not sign any agreement with any foreign government that would be detrimental to the security and other interests of the country. He said he was prepared to face any international issue with a strong backbone.

Accusing his main rival, SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa of undermining national security, he said that the man who boasted that it was he and his elder brother who led the war stated later that the army commander must be responsible for what happened on the battlefront. "It was sheer betrayal of the security forces which I wouldn't have done whatever happened to me" the NDF candidate said.

Stressing that those who are involved in corruption and fraud including stealing State resources would not be party to his government, Mr. Premadasa asserted that he would not act hand in glove with those who are a curse to the country. (B.M.Kumarihami)