I will not be a dummy- Sajith

Pic by Pradeep Pathirana   

• Will create a third level of leadership in the government

Will work round the clock

Won’t get entangled with 19 A

Will re-introduce Premadasa -era Janasaviya programme

By Yohan Perera in Wellawaya   

Denouncing the claim made by some that the next President of Sri Lanka would be a dummy as a result of the 19th Amendment to the constitution, UNF alliance’s candidate Sajith Premadasa yesterday said he will not act like a powerless leader but will be a leader who would be working hard for the people.   

“Some say the next President of this country would become a dummy as a result of the 19th Amendment to the constitution but I will not be entangled with the 19th Amendment as I will work hard for the people,” he said.  “I will make the Presidential Secretariat a place which works 24 hours a day. I will be a worker who will go fast when it comes to work and the others will have to keep up with my speed,” he added.   

Mr. Premadasa said he will work with a team of able persons whose hands will be clean. “I will not give any position to those who are corrupt,” he said in this regard.   
“I will create a third level of leadership in the government,” he also said.   
UNF led alliance’s candidate said he will set up a presidential development task force which will carry out development work in all parts of the country. “Presidential Task Force units will be set up in every divisional secretariat and each such unit will be monitored through the e-governance programme which will be introduced,”  he said.   

• I will make the Presidential Secretariat a place which works 24 hours a day
• I will also be monitoring the defence sector as I will also carrying the responsibility of ensuring security in the country if elected as the President

Also, he pledged to re–introduce Janasaviya in addition to the existing Samurdhi programme.   

Mr Premadasa assured that the people should not be worried about the country’s security as he has already pledged that the original war hero Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka will be appointed as Minister of Defence, Law and Order.   

“I will also be monitoring the defence sector as I will also carry on the responsibility of ensuring security in the country if elected as the President,” Mr. Premadasa said.   
Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri, Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara Jayamaha also spoke at the rally.   

Pic by Pradeep Pathirana