MS will contest next presidential poll: SLFP

17 January 2018 09:04 pm

President Maithripala Sirisena will definitely contest at the next presidential election in the event the executive presidency is not abolished and the constitution is not changed, State Minister of Finance, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said today.

He told the weekly Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) news briefing that President Sirisena would definitely be their presidential candidate and when asked whether it was ethical for him to contest again, the state minister said yes and pointed out that the President was the most suitable candidate to contest for the presidency for a second term.

When asked whether Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva’s name was also being mentioned as the next presidential candidate, he said the party would decide on a suitable candidate should the President pull out of the contest.

“Parliament should also changing the electorate system for which we will extend our fullest support. The next step will be to change the constitution,” state minister said."Even if it is not possible to change the constitution, a majority of the people want President Sirisena to be re-elected as next president." (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

Video by Amantha