Referendum call: Range Bandara stands by his position

By Yohan Perera   

Justifying his call for a referendum to extend Parliament’s and the President’s term, United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara yesterday said he only requested other political parties to come up with their stand on the matter. 

He stressed that people do not seem to want an election.   

“I only talked of a constitutional provision for a referendum. I only referred to Article 86 and 87 of the Constitution which gives the President the power to submit to the people by referendum any matter which in his opinion is of national importance. 

The referendum has to be conducted by the commission of elections while Parliament shall provide for all matters for the same,” Range Bandara said reading out the constitutional provision.   

“I only called the Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Anura Kumara Dissanayake other political parties to state their stand on the matter. I also wanted the political parties to get together to avoid another economic downturn. However, no one has come out with their official stand yet,” he added.   

“However we are also ready for the presidential election,” he also said.   

Asked about the critical comments made by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam on his recent remarks, he said both the Premier and Mr. Kariyawasam only commented on what they have seen in media. “Both the Prime Minister and Mr. Kariyawasam have not seen or heard the full comment I made. They have only responded to the questions put to them by the media,” he said in this regard.   

He said President Wickremesinghe did not instruct him to talk of a referendum.   

At the same time, the UNP General Secretary said people only want to have three meals a day and not an election. 

“I meet so many people in Sirikotha and in villages. I am a person who travels across the country. Many people including the business community have expressed fears that a diversion from the present economic and political exercise to revive the country will lead to destruction once again,” he stressed.