Basil’s call for early parliamentary election triggers rebuttal from UNP

18 March 2024 10:22 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, March 18 (Daily Mirror)- Despite Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) insisting on an early parliamentary election , the United National Party (UNP) asserted yesterday that the presidential election should be conducted first in accordance with the Constitution.

UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, in response to a query about the call for a general election,told Daily Mirror that his party believes that the Constitution should be honored first.

Bandara said the presidential poll should be conducted on a day between September 16 and October 16, this year as stipulated in the Constitution.

“We have to go for it first . We should honor the Constitution by acting with discipline and transparency. Past failures in this regard led to civil unrest even toppling the government. If we make the same mistake again , we will experience the same scenario once again . There are elements whom I refer to as jumping fish . Jumping fish are hellbent on amassing wealth by switching sides and sticking to power all the time . We should not entertain the interests of jumping fish ,” he said .

He said the parliamentary election should be conducted next year as provided for in the Constitution.

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) , however, said it is ready for any of the two major elections at any time of the year .

“Our party is ready for any election . However , the call for parliamentary election has now created a rift within the government,” SJB General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara said.

SLPP stalwart Basil Rajapaksa earlier told the media that he believes in a general election ahead of the presidential election to test the true standing of each party.

Mr. Rajapaksa told Daily Mirror that this is just an idea put forth by him.

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Comments - 18

Surain Monday, 18 March 2024 10:39 AM

UNP lier Range gross violators of the constitution for not conducting the provincial election now talk about honouring the constitution what a joke

Ram Monday, 18 March 2024 11:03 AM

Cunning Basil wants to see the number of seats the UNP can get before supporting Ranil at Presidential election. If UNP fails to get somewhere Basil will turn against Ranil

Fact Monday, 18 March 2024 11:07 AM

Isn't this a subject of the Election Commission that is supposed to be independent like the Judiciary.

Jayantha Monday, 18 March 2024 11:20 AM

Lol. This guy cannot even win at next election just like previous election. So basically most of the unp guys are aware of it and does not want to spend a penny again for next general election as they know they cannot get any two digit number seats as total. If they go for presidential election rw will have to spend and few brainless guys will spend some money for campaigns. but Rajapaksas are former successful politicians at winning except 2015 elections. Even that was a close call. So they know if GE is held first at least 20 to 25 of slpp can into next parliament and probably act as the third biggest party in parliament and probably form a government with sjb. If PE is held first they will know they cannot even get 5 to 10 seats and npp will form the next government easily.

Sen Rajapaksha Monday, 18 March 2024 11:53 AM

Elections should not be prioritised to fulfill a wish of a party but for the wish of the people and according to constitution

Anton Weerasinghe Monday, 18 March 2024 12:45 PM

Why allow a crook like Basil the Kaputa to interfere in national policies like election in Sri lanka

Sam Silva Monday, 18 March 2024 05:39 PM

Need to address it to our honorable president. Basil is a known crook and not sure why the entire country is tolerating him. He should be chased out from the country.

sam Monday, 18 March 2024 12:53 PM

Why people of foreign nationality interested in elections?

Have an Election Soonest Monday, 18 March 2024 01:41 PM

Start any election soonest. Either way, the people are wise and ready to vote accordingly. No point dragging this elections any further since majority wants an election since 2022.

Ranjan Monday, 18 March 2024 02:29 PM

Basil and Ranil they both are genuine crooks . Wasi Pathata Hoiya

Man Monday, 18 March 2024 02:37 PM

First hold the overdue Local government election, before anything else.

podi hadaya Monday, 18 March 2024 03:12 PM

Any election quicker the better for the nation as this country need a change urgently enough is enough

Nagalingam Balupalan Monday, 18 March 2024 04:04 PM

then Kaputa can fly with Hora GoRa and MaRa leaving Kappam Thunga!

Nimal Monday, 18 March 2024 06:50 PM

There is nothing to test. People are now definite about where the parties stand.

Sambo Monday, 18 March 2024 07:23 PM

What business does Basil have to poke his nose into Sri Lanka politics. Who is he and what does he think of himself.

Patcitz Monday, 18 March 2024 07:36 PM

The UNP has no authority to be consulted when they remain DEAD PARTY without having a single seat in Parliament. If SJB comes to deny such a move, it can be discussed as they have considerable members in the parliament.

joshua Monday, 18 March 2024 08:53 PM

why are you listening to this 10%? He comes whenever there is an election and then buys everybody with public money, loses and goes back to USA. Nothing new. UNP and SJB should shun these rogues, otherwise the little votes you have will disappear. Anyway this time no votes for these 3 parties.

Man Tuesday, 19 March 2024 09:47 AM

Yes only for NPP / JVP after blaming political families without divulging their achievements as the Minister of Agriculture from 2004 to 2005, under Chandrika and intended improvements. Accordingly, Mr. Dudley Senanayake coming to politics was wrong. It implies that AKD is against democracy and for the executive presidency what Mr. Dudley oppose JR and got no constructive policies but destructive policies.

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Basil’s call for early parliamentary election triggers rebuttal from UNP

Comments - 18

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