Prime Minister of next government from SLPP: S.M.Chandrasena

By Thisara Samal 

Anuradhapura District Parliamentarian S.M. Chandrasena stated that the Prime Minister of the government formed after the next general election would necessarily be appointed by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). 

He told the media after a public meeting in Eppawala, Anuradhapura, that a decision on whether to hold the Presidential election should be made by the President. Despite diverse opinions in the media, there has been no dispute on this matter. 

“The Election Commission will have to decide on it shortly, which is their duty. However, we are not in a position to hint at who our Presidential candidate will be. Then a minister in the government, Maithripala Sirisena became the presidential candidate within 24 hours. It was a success for him, but not for the country. We will declare our presidential candidate with a short notice of about 48 hours to ensure an easy victory for him. Currently, an interview board of the politburo will conduct interviews to select the most eligible person. Two political parties, SJB and NPP, have already declared their Presidential candidates, and they are at loggerheads. We need to resolve their disputes. They are trying to deceive the people. NPP Leader Anura Dissanayake believes he will win by garnering votes from expatriates who will come to vote. However, the victory of any candidate depends on the votes of the people residing in Sri Lanka. He only enjoys travelling abroad. If he toured the country instead of going abroad, he could have secured a few votes.” 

 “The final decision on our Presidential Candidate, whether it is President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mr. Dhammika Perera, or any other individual from the party, has not yet been made. The party politburo will make the final decision and announce it at the appropriate time,” the parliamentarian said. 

He further stated that the SLPP would not allow the post of Prime Minister to be held by any other party, and that the Prime Minister of the next government would be from the SLPP.