I am the PM candidate of SLPP

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that following the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the prime minister has more powers and he is the prime ministerial candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at the general election which is due next year.  

He had made these comments during an interview with the Saturday’s issue of Tamil language Virakesari newspaper.  

Commenting on the prospects for power devolution to Sri Lanka’s minority Tamils, Rajapaksa said that there are two strands of opinion now. “Some want a new constitution. Some want a federal arrangement. And some say that a political solution based on the 13th Amendment would suffice. But a solution should not be one that divides the country. Look at what has just happened in Kashmir. We need to take steps keeping all these in mind. We have to understand these factors while we pursue a political solution.” Recalling his statement that he had five candidates, Mr. Rajapaksa said in the interview “Tomorrow (Sunday) I will name the best of them, the one who will strengthen national security.”  

Mr. Rajapaksa took over the leadership of the SLPP officially yesterday after being its de facto leader for nearly three years since it was launched in 2016.   On his views of LTTE chief Prabakaran, in the context of the Easter terror attacks in April, Mr. Rajapaksa had said: “He had an objective, he had direction and discipline. The path Prabakaran took was wrong, but there was discipline and restraint in his actions. He would strike when he wanted to and choose not to at other times. But the Easter attacks were not like that. They [terrorists] could attack at any time, and they are even willing to die for that.” (Hindu)  

He would strike when he wanted to and choose not to at other times. But the Easter attacks were not like that. They [terrorists] could attack at any time, and they are even willing to die for that