Presidential election scheduled for next year - President

21 October 2023 08:19 pm - 50 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In accordance with the Constitution, the Presidential election is scheduled for next year, followed by the parliamentary election, President Ranil Wickremesinghe assured today despite reports that there will be Constitutional reforms instead.

"Both the Presidential election and the general elections will be held next year while the Provincial Council election will be held in early 2025," the President said while addressing the UNP Convention in Colombo.

"Around 50 percent of the voting population in the country reject all political parties. They want a new political culture. I will be appointing a commission headed by retired chief justice Priyasad Dep to look into political parties. There are a large number of political parties in the country. No one knows who leads them. The new commission will look into details on the parties. Some parties are influenced by persons who offer them large sums of money. The commission will probe into all these and make recommendations regarding parties in six werks time. I would like to know the stand of political parties on this move," he said.

"We will also work towards building a smart country. I will announce plans on building a smart nation in the budget speech next month. I accepted the Presidency to revive the economy. We have taken measures in this regard. The county has become stable once again. The Cabinet which comprises SLPP members have supported me in this endeavour. Also, Opposition MPs like Harsha De Silva and Patali Champika Ranawaka have also support me through their acts as chairpersons of two parliamentary committees," he added. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 50

Sam Silva Saturday, 21 October 2023 09:16 PM

Suddenly he makes this announcement after the joy trips he made. Don't have hopes up. He is upto something and will change his mind at any minute.

Priyanee Wijesekera Saturday, 21 October 2023 10:53 PM

The curse of this country is people like you who fail to appreciate a capable leader

Grace Sunday, 22 October 2023 07:38 AM

After his term term is over, he will be like defanged snake. He will destroy himself.

You are spot on Sunday, 22 October 2023 11:15 AM

Sam, some imbiciles will not agree and attempt to redicule you. Just ignore them. You are spot on.

nimesh sahabandhu Saturday, 21 October 2023 09:29 PM

I believe you becoming president is the best thing that happened to our country. Please try to keep the job for atleast another term.

AZOOR Junaideen Sunday, 22 October 2023 04:11 AM

SriLanka a land of dreams if you say RW comes for another term

Indra Dasa Sunday, 22 October 2023 05:37 AM

No way . Majority People , New generation of Voters (99% of them ) ,Middle Aged Voters (98% Of them ) and conventional Voters ( 90% of them ) are already rejected Ranil Wikramasighe , Mahinda Rajapashe , Srisena or their any agents / family members to govern Sri Lanka anymore . All such Voters are eagerly waiting until 2024 Election year to send all those traditional and newly brought political business men's parties home for ever and elect people's government with a huge majority for the betterment of future generations of Sri Lanka .

Lanka Saturday, 21 October 2023 09:33 PM

All these are political rhetoric and they don't have any value . 75 years they have been telling all this . Now they want to create a smart country.. Good and appealing motto but I don't this 70℅ people trust him for his connection with all crooks ...he protected all thieves and how can we trust him

Anjsri12 Saturday, 21 October 2023 09:50 PM

@ Sam Silva all your comments today and previous indicate a personal issue of yourself harboring grudges to RW. You are the latest entry. Not caring tuppence too

Sam Silva Sunday, 22 October 2023 10:09 PM

This is nothing to do with personal grudges or to anyone else I have or don't have. When the facts are said to to people like you and if they're ignorant or incompetent to comprehend, feel sorry for them. And this is the main reason for our country not to progress but to cave in to corruption. You need to grow up and see the reality.

Daily Mirror Humbug useless to give name Saturday, 21 October 2023 10:00 PM

Hi Sam Silva get rid of your negativity over President. Be positive Sam the man. Audience is fed up of your same baritone tunes .

Sam Silva Monday, 23 October 2023 12:29 AM

When the facts are stated and not based on negatively, people like you hates it. Too bad for you. Also you need not have to represent the audience. Sorry for you.

Kevin Saturday, 21 October 2023 10:30 PM

Thanks for giving us the privilege to vote again! We can't wait to get rid of you and your cronies

Volker Metzger Saturday, 21 October 2023 10:38 PM

After Ranil's announcement that the presidential and national elections will be held next year, people are wondering, is this credible, will he "keep his word" this time!? Because in view of the threat of defeat for him, the UNP and the SLPP, the definitive commitment at this point in time comes as a surprise to many! I am sure that other political forces, especially young, incorruptible opposition politicians who are only committed to the country, will have to build Sri Lanka into an "intelligent" nation with a prosperous economy! And the new president elected by the people will lead the country and the rising generation into a better future!

Amaran Saturday, 21 October 2023 10:48 PM

All political parties have ONE OBJECTIVE - CHEAT THE PUBIC, STEAL PUBLIC MONEY IN THE PRETEXT OF DEVELOPMENT. Only Late Ranasinghe Premadada worked hard for the benefits of poor people.

Jude Saturday, 21 October 2023 11:16 PM

Your definition of country stable is somewhat misleading!! We're not out of the woods by any means!!

Jude Saturday, 21 October 2023 11:19 PM

The general consensus is that රතු සහෝදරයන් gonna form next government, that is inevitable. Majority of voters waiting patiently to make the change.

Jude Saturday, 21 October 2023 11:57 PM

This country ideally should be run by a military regime for at least 10 years!! However, FM SF's political acumen somewhat lacking. Then the next best thing that can happen is NPP government!! For starters the රතු සහෝදරයන් will eliminate government corruption to almost zero. That itself will save billions of billions of rupees to the country!! Mind you there's Over hundred thousand vehicles government maintaining at the moment including providing Free fuel to these vehicles. That's way too much expenses for the Treasury incure!!

kondaya77 Sunday, 22 October 2023 12:03 AM

I guess he has seen the world

Volker Metzger Sunday, 22 October 2023 12:15 AM

After Ranil's announcement that the presidential and national elections will be held next year, people are wondering, is this credible, will he "keep his word" this time!? Because in view of the threat of defeat for him, the UNP and the SLPP, the definitive commitment at this point in time comes as a surprise to many! I am sure that other political forces, especially young, incorruptible opposition politicians who are only committed to the country, will help build Sri Lanka into an "intelligent" nation with a prosperous economy! And the new president, elected by the people, will lead the country and the rising generation into a better future!

Ram Sunday, 22 October 2023 01:28 AM

He has given many promises at UNP Conventions but never kept to his promises. So are we to believe him? Many other promises he has given as have gone down the drain. Personally I will not trust him

ROSH Sunday, 22 October 2023 01:47 AM

I bet he was very pleased to spent the night in the Chinese parliament see immortal Chinese president. Unelected master debating president wants looks at the work been done over last 50 years behind his trousers. We need to build statue of unelected president without his trousers on to see amount of work been done before this convention. All voters need to understand values of vote.

Mohommed Sunday, 22 October 2023 05:51 AM

For the tax collecting agency.

Waco Sunday, 22 October 2023 07:11 AM

Can you trust a Cunning Fox? He will find reasons to postpone election , in year 2024.

UNP not wanted Sunday, 22 October 2023 07:13 AM

Most just don't want UNP or anything to do with Ranil, and SLPP is not wanted.

Amaran Sunday, 22 October 2023 07:16 AM

RW should NOT think that he is favouring the people by holding the election. It NOT the case. SRI LANKA is a democratic country and the Constitution confer the opportunity to elect their representatives.

Ravi Hulugalle Sunday, 22 October 2023 07:23 AM

I hope JVP win and recover the stolen loot from our country. We can pay off all our debts and develop the country in record time, because we have a talented workforce that can be mobilised when the conditions are right.

Robin Banks Sunday, 22 October 2023 07:29 AM

If the president goes back on this promise he had better pack his bags to settle in a country that would give him refuge or else learn to swim real fast.

Chaos at an cost Sunday, 22 October 2023 07:40 AM

Well said Nimesh Sahabandhu! This is the sentiment of all who love the nation; Not those who earned a fast buck. Where are the war heroes who fill their purse and tummy whole the nation was starving? They may not like this peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the country. But we can't help them at this moment.

DOT Sunday, 22 October 2023 08:05 AM

Please give the opportunity for new person! A high time for it!

AJ Sunday, 22 October 2023 08:07 AM

It is true, if it’s correlated as ‘more than 50% rejecting NOT all parties but parties who governed the country till it bankrupted’ but ‘they want new political culture’ it’s certain and having smart country people love it but you are not the right person to lead it,your past of Batalanda,Jaffna library and more recent central bank scam prove you are only a political crook nothing else

Gama Rala Sunday, 22 October 2023 08:15 AM

He has got bored with his fancy flights and now is sick of the mundane stuff like running the country he doesn't like very much.

Sajith Premadasa Sunday, 22 October 2023 08:24 AM

Goodbye my love goodbye!

Jude Sunday, 22 October 2023 09:34 AM

RANIL is One of the reasons this country can't move forward!!! RANIL'S only concern is grabbing power and manipulating everyone around him to stay in power!! If you check what Ranil has done to this country, nothing but destruction!!! RANIL have no legacy!! Thank god he've no descendants!! RANIL has done enormous damage to this country!! He knows One thing for sure, yeah that is all mainstream political parties not gonna come to power!! And NPP forming the next government inevitable!! Yeah.

Volker Metzger Sunday, 22 October 2023 10:02 AM

After Ranil's announcement that the presidential and national elections will be held next year, people are wondering, is this credible, will he "keep his word" this time!? Because in view of the threat of defeat for him, the UNP and the SLPP, the definitive commitment at this point in time comes as a surprise to many! I am sure that other political forces, especially young, incorruptible opposition politicians who are only committed to the country, will help build Sri Lanka into an "intelligent" nation with a prosperous economy! And the new president, elected by the people, will lead the country and the rising generation into a better future!

MY3 Sunday, 22 October 2023 10:02 AM

What happened to the provincial council elections??? Also this is not a person who shows his cards one year in advance. There must be a hidden reason for such an announcement at this time. IMF 2nd tranche???

Jude Sunday, 22 October 2023 10:03 AM

If someone ask me who're the five people I like to have dead, well top of the list is Ranil then MR and I hate this guy Namal of course BOOKIEEMAN and Taxi drivers son for destroying SL cricket yeah!! And that's my list of 5.

L Jaya Sunday, 22 October 2023 10:27 AM

All RWs statements subject too X Y and Z. No one knows those conditions yet.

Vision 2048 Sunday, 22 October 2023 10:27 AM

There is a possibility of holding elections next year stirring up communal feelings by cardboard Hitler and cardboard Dhutugemunu to winn the elections. The things happening in the country now are the indications

Gilbert John Sunday, 22 October 2023 10:29 AM

Can we trust you Mr. President. You told the Provincial Council Elections will be held a year ago, after making all arrangements finally you told no funds to hold elections. Will your talk be like Volkswagen Factory?

CitizenP Sunday, 22 October 2023 10:56 AM

What he has done to this country for the last 50yrs..other than standing front of microphone and uttering false promises..

Bud Supporter Sunday, 22 October 2023 11:12 AM

Ranil Rajapaksa (ne Wickremasinghe) says according to the Constitution, the Presidential Election is due in 2004 and the Parliamentary Election is due in 2025. However, the public MUST note that the Constitution can be changed at any time and Elections can be rigged as they were rigged during JR's and Premadasa's rule.

Power Hungry Sunday, 22 October 2023 12:05 PM

Ranil is saying that the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections are scheduled for next year according to the Constitution ! Needless to say something that everybody knows. The suspicion amongst the people is whether Ranil will respect the Constitution and act accordingly and not look for ruses to defy the Constitution to hang on to power ?

Daily Mirror Humbug useless to give name Sunday, 22 October 2023 12:17 PM

Oh Jude. The most entertained guy with earful of writing garbage against the President, his pet subject all the time. Hope and pray you will stand on queues for petrol gas and medicine until you fall down on the road in 2024.

AJ Sunday, 22 October 2023 03:06 PM

Abewardena from Galle initially ignited this discourse because he knows his political survival also depend on No election arena as he was badly rejected from Galle, if there is no ruse, no such necessity to highlight it, as it is specifically mentioned in constitution

Fernando R Sunday, 22 October 2023 08:05 PM

What a clever starting statement to another plot to deny elections. Who will believe this politico who was instrumental in blocking the Provincial Council Elections. It is the opposite, he will use every sinister move tactic to not hold the elections scheduled for next year. He thinks present generation is gullible.

Samuel Thomas Monday, 23 October 2023 05:21 AM

You brought some stability to the country. If you remain in office you will have to get the backing of MR and SLPP

Ranjith Monday, 23 October 2023 01:14 PM

We want young blood to take over from these inefficient outdated politicians Ranil wants Ruwan to take over UNP after him probably that will happen but none will vote for UNP as long as Ranil is the leader of UNP.

Buddhist Monday, 23 October 2023 04:03 PM

Which fool in the country will believe what Ranil says? Will the real fool please stand up, please stand up.....

Waco Monday, 23 October 2023 04:08 PM

Sun will rise from the west.

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Presidential election scheduled for next year - President

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