MPs rally for snap general election amidst President’s push for Presidential poll

28 March 2024 06:52 am - 31 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Colombo, March 28 (Daily Mirror) - Following the exclusive revelation by the Daily Mirror on Tuesday that the presidential election will be conducted in the first week of October, MPs from across the divide - except those from the National People’s Power (NPP) - have ramped up efforts to prevail upon President Ranil Wickremesinghe to declare a snap general election as early as possible.

Earlier, Basil Rajapaksa of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), requested the President in his one on one meeting that the parliamentary election should precede the presidential election. In his calculation, a parliamentary election at this juncture is more advantageous to his party than a presidential election which is slated to be conducted before October 17.

However, as reported by the Daily Mirror, the President affirmed to the Cabinet of Ministers that he would not call for any snap general election ahead of the presidential election which is on schedule in terms of the Constitution.

The Daily Mirror now learns that some parliamentarians have initiated action for the passing of a resolution in Parliament to be communicated to the President calling for an early general election.

UNP Chairman MP Vajira Abeywardane hinted at it yesterday when he said that only Parliament had to decide whether there should be an early general election or not .

“The presidential election is slated to be held before October 16 this year but Parliament will decide whether there should be an early election or not,” he said.

“The opposition had alleged that the general elections will be postponed in the guise of amending the electoral system. However this allegation is far from being true as the general elections will not be postponed,” he added.

He said the President will unite all political parties and be a national candidate at the next Presidential election. “The President will contest the presidential election as a man who will unite all parties,” he said, indicating that Wickremesinghe will contest the upcoming Presidential candidate as a common candidate.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 31

Cisco Thursday, 28 March 2024 07:30 AM

Either common or party candidate, RW will not win the hearts of the general public. I guess SP and AKD is far ahead from RW. He himself earn this situation by allowing his subordinates to loot public money during his tenure of premiership and protecting Rajapaksha clan by not punishing them.

Kugan Thursday, 28 March 2024 07:30 AM

Dear prez disolve the parliament go ahead with prez election first joke of these MPs all they do is brings no confident motionsb and debate for 3 days for each motions -like play school,disrupt parliament physical attacks bring chillie powder .,......do they stick with the topics ,feed them with the star meals their size will tell all that

Jo Thursday, 28 March 2024 07:38 AM

They are all worried about their future. Not the country's future. Voters should be courageous enough to choose the correct leaders to take country forward. It's useless to complain after choosing the wrong ones.

Beware of their Tricks and Mischief Thursday, 28 March 2024 08:06 AM

Voters be wary of these new developments. These morons are up to mischief and will do anything it takes to enjoy the high perks, fancy vehicles with back up security officers and high salaries but doing nothing much and barking around in parliament. Plus, the “fringe” benefits most will try to squeeze from any mega project. Remember, whatever most of them proposes is for their own benefit and not for the people and country.

Mr. 10 percent Thursday, 28 March 2024 08:11 AM

Do the country a favour, throw Basil in prison for defrauding the country.

Robin Banks Thursday, 28 March 2024 08:15 AM

I am sure Basil will be in his motherland the USA during the election. But he should be made aware that there is an extradition treaty between the two countries.

Lk Thursday, 28 March 2024 09:07 AM

That is good because out of 225 ; more than half will go home if they do this. People know what these 225 have been doing for the last five years . They have been living on public money and have been wasting people's money without any responsibility and people want to get rid of them and it is better to do this sooners...MPs want to have their doom day sooner .Ranil think he can have his doom day first . Either way ..unless there is some kind of vote manipulation by any means most of people will vote against many of225. Let us have GE first to see how people react and how people vote this historical election. Are sri Lankan clever people in politics?/or naive in politics? Let us wait and see

Gongalepala Heenatigama Thursday, 28 March 2024 09:16 AM

Hope the parliament can kick that unelected, backdoor man out of the system ver soon. Myna and the group must be activated now!

Open you eyes and ears Thursday, 28 March 2024 05:04 PM

It is not only a pity but a curse, that Sri Lanka still has people like you worshiping even the loin cloth of former rulers, after their corruptions are exposed.

Jude Thursday, 28 March 2024 09:28 AM

Until it Gazetted I don't believe presidential elections happening before general Elections

Varuna Thursday, 28 March 2024 10:17 AM

Only Basil and Namal want an early general election. Pohottuwa Parawela.

Johan Thursday, 28 March 2024 10:30 AM

With one ballot paper President

Surain Thursday, 28 March 2024 10:32 AM

Not even dead will dare support to RW as a common candidate get ready to go home

Raven Thursday, 28 March 2024 01:55 PM

He'll go happily IMO. But remember he has set the benchmark for others to follow. I'm curious to see how they perform and fail, thereby calling Ranil back again.

FredSnR Thursday, 28 March 2024 10:44 AM

What happened to the Elections Commissioner? There must be laid down procedures, rules regarding such matters. The country is becoming increasingly like a school run by its pupils playing truant

Boru Na Atha .... Atha ..... (Truth will stand) Thursday, 28 March 2024 10:51 AM

Basil (not a God of elections) or any idiots cannot decide on Elections. It is the Commissioner of Election decides of any elections.

Ram Thursday, 28 March 2024 10:52 AM

Only SLPP wants General elections before Presidential. Their aim is to see the pulse of the people before Presidential as they know if AKD wins Rajapansas' will be doomed

Moving Aragalaya kollas Thursday, 28 March 2024 10:55 AM

No Dam MR or Basil, No RW or Sajith but whoever dances too much about elections will have to kneel down before AKD finally, not a joke.

sunil Thursday, 28 March 2024 11:09 AM

so the SLPP or rather Royal Family is scared of getting wiped out

joshua Thursday, 28 March 2024 12:25 PM

Greedy rajapakshes want General election. We are ready kick them out

Man Thursday, 28 March 2024 12:27 PM

Yes, the common candidate of the SLPP. SLPP do not want to see other parties getting the absolute majority, if not them since they are quite sure that they will be less than that 3%. So, they want to have a hung parliament so that try to sabotage the will of the government. The opposition shall not fall to this trap unless there is an urgent need. Why not the local government elections?

ModaApi Soodu kelinawa Thursday, 28 March 2024 01:58 PM

If we have got the wrong leaders for 75 years it clearly shows that our voters are illiterate. Since the last time we voted (2019) to now there is nothing new we as a nation has done to educate the public of how to analyse a political party or a person. So once again the illiterate voters (api) will vote another bunch of smooth talking bull sxitters to lead us. If we are any wiser that before we will not be voting for any party that does not share a proper detailed plan.

Ram Thursday, 28 March 2024 02:13 PM

Whatever election we must have a contingent of foreign personal to man all polling booths and counting centres to prevent computer jilmarts

podi hadaya Thursday, 28 March 2024 03:06 PM

RW and Rajapakshas will be out only hope is Sajith as he is the only leader has a vision and so far done for people while stays in opposition moreover he has a good team to carefully proceed with the economic recovery plan NPP has all big talkers nothing constructive

Bertal Thursday, 28 March 2024 06:28 PM

All AP has done is oppose everything brought forward by the government even during the worst of time. All he has done is play politics hoping political gain.

Leena Munad Thursday, 28 March 2024 04:53 PM

Good for us. At least we tax payers don't need to pay pension for 85 first time M.Ps

George Thursday, 28 March 2024 05:20 PM

Daily Mirror article has given a heart attack to SLPP guys. These SLPP guys know the outcome of the Presidential elections. So they want a Parliament election first. We request the President to dissolve the parliament and send these guys home. Appoint a caretaker government till the elections and hold a clean Presidential and Parliament election together to reduce the cost.

Man Friday, 29 March 2024 09:35 AM

It will be like giving cockerels or hens to a crafty fox.

Patcitz Friday, 29 March 2024 12:37 AM

Ranil cannot be a constestant as he lost his own party and it became ever DEAD-UNP PARTY, Ranil presently hangs in the balance of the US PLOT, it can not be a case for anymore. Therefore, kick out Ranil and bring back a youth leadership to cherish Sri Lanka forever.

Man Friday, 29 March 2024 10:57 AM

@ Bertal; So you believe that the two no-confidence motions are useless? Talking about the problems of people and helping the depressed and suppressed with medical and computer equipment, by being in the opposition, is useless. I hope that your brain is needed to be shifted to the right place from the back of yours.

Buddhist Friday, 29 March 2024 05:17 PM

Who is Foreigner Basil to state his personal opinion to the President that the General Election should be held first? SLPP is governed by an American while SLPP is a party that does not like Americans.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

MPs rally for snap general election amidst President’s push for Presidential poll

Comments - 31

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Businessman claims Rs.50 Mn from Gota, Mahinda, Basil

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Sri Lanka to establish new energy sector regulator

Cabinet nod to transfer China-built Mattala airport’s management to Indian, Russian joint venture

Sajith never attends dinners hosted by Ranil Wickremesinghe

One soldier dead, nine injured in road crash

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand