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Last Updated : 2024-04-18 14:37:00
Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa could not pose a threat to President Maitripala Sirisena as a next Presidential Candidate because he could not attract votes from the north and the east as seen crucial for the final outcome at the last election, Western Province Chief Minister Isuru Devapriya said today.
Mr. Devapriya, handpicked by President Sirisena for the Chief Minister post, said Gothabaya Rajapaksa was only a military officer and not a seasoned politician like President Sirisena.
“Candidate of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) for next Presidential Election should be a person, who can attract each and every citizen in the country,” he said.
He said that the southern people’s votes were divided at the last Presidential Election.
“Therefore a candidate should be able to gather the support of all ethnic and religious groups to win the Presidential Election,” he said.
The Chief Minister said President Sirisena was an asset to the SLFP and would be the candidate for the 2020 Presidential Election.
He also said the other parties already faced difficulties finding a candidate for their parties and making baseless statements.
Meantime, Mr. Devapriya said SLFP had done its part in the Unity Government however; UNP was pulling back in some cases as they had changed their stance, especially in decisions such as Cabinet portfolios.
He said that whatever happened, President Sirisena or the SLFP had not changed their views on the country’s issues.
He said the SLFP would drive the country on the correct path regardless of the consent of the UNP. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)
SL Thursday, 30 March 2017 08:19 AM
There are lots of burning issues in this country ,Election is far far away,We will decide to whom to vote when it comes.
renu Thursday, 30 March 2017 07:21 PM
No Tamil or Muslim will vote , problem is he cannot contest , being a citizen of USA, and he might be serving a term during that time
Faslan Thursday, 30 March 2017 03:48 PM
None of them have any slim chance as the minorities will totally reject them. Remember it is the Tamil and Muslim votes which will be the deciding factor in a Presidential election.
Kautilya Thursday, 30 March 2017 03:03 PM
At first Gota has to prove his Sri lankan Citizenship
walter Thursday, 30 March 2017 02:47 PM
Gota! Beside the north and east majority of the right thinking people from the south and west will not vote for a white van candidate
Vindika Thursday, 30 March 2017 12:29 PM
So clear he never going to abolish presidency.
jonson Thursday, 30 March 2017 12:04 PM
Gota may be not a threat to MS but he is a threat to the minorities in Sri Lanka. via DM Android App
flanker Thursday, 30 March 2017 10:59 AM
Cake walk for Gota if he is to contest the next Presidential elections. he will prove everyone wrong as happened in the US recently.
daily boru Thursday, 30 March 2017 10:59 AM
birds of a feather flock together.
Shelly. Thursday, 30 March 2017 10:55 AM
Isuru did not beleive in capabilities of MS in 2015 elections. accept a handfull SLFP politicos are introverted. Fortunately Ranil kept them in the correct path with the agreement signed between two parties. via DM Android App
Priyanka Wijayaratne Thursday, 30 March 2017 09:32 AM
So in that case the rest of the country is left with no choice but to vote for Gota so that he can win with a 75% majority
bindu Thursday, 30 March 2017 09:25 AM
In everything Sarath Fonseka is far ahead of Gota. In reality Gota was only the communicator medium between ex-president and army commander.
Laksiri Thursday, 30 March 2017 09:09 AM
Seriously Sirisena wanted to abolish presidency.
aaryan Thursday, 30 March 2017 09:06 AM
so MS was telling he won't be contesting for the 2nd term the day he sworn in as the president. forgot that ?
DHA Thursday, 30 March 2017 09:03 AM
We all know Gota's achivements and MS's achievement if not for a selfish move by MR Gota would've been ruling the country by now
Mason Wednesday, 29 March 2017 06:17 PM
Rajapakse clan members are henceforth a write-off as becoming President of the Country.
ali Thursday, 30 March 2017 08:15 AM
Wow, the guys are getting ready for the next presidential elections when people still feel the new Govt is just 6-months old. Only the time flies in SL
Liswom Thursday, 30 March 2017 07:59 AM
Both of them are no threat at all to Ranil. Both of them will be also rans. Just wait and see. via DM Android App
sam Thursday, 30 March 2017 07:41 AM
You look like a very trustworthy guy. How did you get all those rings in your hand?
Matha Thursday, 30 March 2017 06:41 AM
"President Sirisena was an asset to the SLFP" He is more like an asset the Ranil, UNP and traitors like you.
Bobby Pereira Thursday, 30 March 2017 06:39 AM
Yes. If not for Mr. GR, many thousands more would be 6 feet under by now including many from the North and the East. GR and his team did the impossible.
Renu Thursday, 30 March 2017 06:28 AM
This CM is not aware the President stating that he will be President only for one term. This is the kind of CM we have in the best province of the country
Ranjan Thursday, 30 March 2017 06:28 AM
You want the white van again?
dreamer Thursday, 30 March 2017 06:22 AM
is this day dream. dont think southern people fooled again, north east would be factor only when southern people divided.
Anton Thursday, 30 March 2017 06:08 AM
Dear srilankan people do not forget what GOTA done during the war.If not GOTA we all go six Feet under.
Leo Thursday, 30 March 2017 06:06 AM
White vans abductions assault dictatorship non freedom is speach lawlessness drug trafficking money laundering will be the order of the under any member from the Rajapakse clan which we can do without. via DM Android App
concerned Thursday, 30 March 2017 05:22 AM
Do some governing of country in 2017 instead of talking about 2020 elections as if you hold the power of life in your own hands. 2020 when it surfaces will have its own issues. But now lead SL instead of letting drift with wind and waves.
sira Wednesday, 29 March 2017 09:45 PM
Can Gota contest from prison??
Sara Wednesday, 29 March 2017 09:02 PM
Good Luck to you Mr. CM, why only talk, go for elections will you.
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