17 September 2019 05:37 pm Views - 3015
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said today he would consider contesting the forthcoming presidential election only with the political forces which had since 1995 had consistently stood for the abolishing of the executive presidency.
He said he would also do so together with those who stood for democratic reforms introduced by the 17th Amendment and further strengthened by the 19the Amendment to the Constitution.
Issuing a statement the Speaker said there were many who had requested him to contest for the presidency. “Some met me personally and made the request, some others did it over the phone and a few others made the request at news conferences,” he said.
The Speaker said the main objective that was highlighted by them was that the country needs a trusted leadership to safeguard democracy and overcome the current political confusion and establish a civilized society.
He said if he decided to contest the presidential election, it would merely be for a limited period with the intention of laying the foundation for an economically and morally strong country with democratic values.
The Speaker said he would contest only if he received the blessings of the UNP and its allies and within the party’s constitutional framework. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)