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No single political party commands majority voter base, despite cross-party collaboration in Parliament: RW

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3 June 2023 06:17 pm - 49     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe said although all political parties in Parliament are united, none of them currently possess a 50% voter base. 

He emphasized the need for unity among the parties, not solely for the purpose of elections, but to steer the country towards recovery from the ongoing economic crisis.

The President also highlighted the loss of faith in elections and politics among the majority of the population, including the youth.

During his address at the "2023/2024 National Law Conference" held at the Grand Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, President Wickremesinghe further emphasized that while the re-establishment of law and order, as well as political and economic stability, is crucial, it does not imply that Sri Lanka has completely overcome the crisis. He emphasized the necessity of making significant commitments in the future to ensure the success of the entire process.

Reflecting on the economic challenges faced by the country ten months ago, the President mentioned that it was an unprecedented situation in history. He acknowledged the efforts made by him and his team to alleviate the crisis during that time.

"Regrettably, the majority of our people have lost faith in elections and politics. Whether it is the Parliament, the judiciary, the media, private sector trade unions, or professionals, a vast number of citizens lack trust in the entire system that governs our nation,” the President said.


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  Comments - 49

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  • Lanka Saturday, 03 June 2023 06:27 PM

    So; the wise thing is unite SJB and UNP or SPP.. That is only good way to do this

    Ram Saturday, 03 June 2023 06:50 PM

    "The President also highlighted the loss of faith in elections" This is very true and applies to our President himself. That is why he did not want to hold Provincial elections

    Sam Silva Saturday, 03 June 2023 06:56 PM

    You are very well aware if you go for elections you will not stand a chance. Now you are trying to fool our fools who so vulnerable to support you

    Surain Saturday, 03 June 2023 07:04 PM

    When have become the Astrologer your prediction valid only for you

    David Saturday, 03 June 2023 07:14 PM

    He must hold the elections to ascertain whether a single party holds more than 50% vote base at present. Anything else is only an imagination or a lie.

    Walter Perera Saturday, 03 June 2023 07:55 PM

    Even though no one s commanding majority nepotism, rampant corruption and great unity in kicking out neutral minded commission members and ailing ministers throwing out clergy from designated flights, seems to be the order of the day.

    Gerry Saturday, 03 June 2023 08:26 PM

    ... but they all trust you and the UNP? How do you know without an election?

    Fastforward Saturday, 03 June 2023 08:38 PM

    You too is responsible for this, with your antics . Better have a snap PREZ Polls.

    Sarath Saturday, 03 June 2023 08:39 PM

    You do not have any base... and ilegal to begin with.

    Buddhist Saturday, 03 June 2023 10:16 PM

    When did Ranil become a magician? If he wants proof he should hold an election and from the results he will know which party is popular.

    UNP er Saturday, 03 June 2023 10:18 PM

    RANIL YOU ARE WRONG IN ASSUMING THAT NOT A SINGLE PARTY HAS A 50% VOTER BASE. ONLY THE UNP HAS UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP. HENCE YOU CAN CONFIDENTLY DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT AND DECLARE ANY ELECTION.

    Dharmista Saturday, 03 June 2023 10:38 PM

    Ranil's call for unity amongst all Political Parties to steer the country towards recovery from the on going financial crisis will be rejected outright. However the Political Parties will unhesitatingly support Ranil if he had called for their support to RECOVER ALL ROBBED WEALTH FROM THE COUNTRY AND PUNISH THE CULPRITS. Ranil doing such a thing is unimaginable as in that event he himself has to be punished !

    roni Saturday, 03 June 2023 10:44 PM

    You yourself came to parliament through the back door. Test your own popularity and of your party by holding the overdue elections. In fact, people have lost faith and confidence in you. People who defrauded tax revenue on sugar palm oil etc. are enjoying while the poor have been burdened, by you.

    Roberta Flack Sunday, 04 June 2023 02:25 AM

    Yours perhaps is the worst of them all. Thank the Aragalaya that you were able to at least save face.

    AZOOR Junaideen Sunday, 04 June 2023 03:16 AM

    To have faith in elections please dissolve parliament 200 out of 225 are crooks money launderers agents of drug lords MPs serving suspended sentences for various offences. Come on Ranil don’t fool the foolish SLS who now seem that it’s back to normal

    Cheers Sunday, 04 June 2023 04:37 AM

    But under Mahinda and SLPP yes come next election majority sinhalese and Buddhist are with them

    Bandu Sunday, 04 June 2023 04:51 AM

    Peoples loss of faith in elections and politics is because of cunning politicos like you and rajapakses. That is why they call for a system change to fully eradicate dirty lousy conniving politicos like you and the majority of the 225 MPs by a constitution change so that unelected and dirty ones like you will not get a look in..

    Lion Sunday, 04 June 2023 04:55 AM

    The man is lying as he did for the last 45 years.People have realized this corrupt system will go on unabated if the power goes on to the same click who governed this country for the last 75 years .Decision was made ,people waited for the opportunity which you stopped using your powers with the slogan that no money available for the election while you were attending funerals and coronation ceremonies abroad. It is disgusting when you retort with lies after lies.Hold the election and see what position you hold in the hearts of this nation.

    Democrat Sunday, 04 June 2023 05:13 AM

    This man is an A grade lire and this fact was proved by himself during his long tenure in the parliament. This man is trying his best with his cronies to do away with election since he knows the ground realities will nock them out from the system of governance completely. How long can he remain in power curtailing the basic right of the people to choose their leader under democratic system of governance. He should hold election with out using his unbelievable slogan that country has no money to hold election.

    Willow Drive Sunday, 04 June 2023 05:31 AM

    We have more than 70% voter base

    Any objection? Show us a leader! Sunday, 04 June 2023 06:34 AM

    Everybody is a Captain in a calm sea. But when high wind and storms appear, they abandon ship. This is what happened in the nation and the entire crew ran away. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. This is what Ranil did. He had nothing to lose at this advanced age. He has brought some sense to the administration. Now everybody wants to be the captain, not to continue with the safe journey, but to scrounge for whatever is left over.

    Man Sunday, 04 June 2023 07:29 AM

    @La;nka ; To rob together? No way. Hold the due provincial council / local elections to prove the Ranil’s comment. He talks of 10%. But, won’t achieve 1%.

    Sambo Sunday, 04 June 2023 07:30 AM

    To prove it call an election.

    Citizen k Sunday, 04 June 2023 07:44 AM

    It is your own opinion Mr President but the public thinks otherwise.

    Adwani Sunday, 04 June 2023 09:08 AM

    Whatever all comment that is their basic right, but please open your eyes before making any comment. Are there ques???? there were ques of those who engaed in fuel peddling, think what was the exchange rate of USD before RW and now.

    Jude Sunday, 04 June 2023 09:13 AM

    Of course people lost faith on politics coz you'd only one seat in parliament and you're the president, never in the history of any other Democratic country this happened!!

    Jude Sunday, 04 June 2023 09:16 AM

    Hold the elections and you'll find NPP emerging victorious with More than 50% vote base, yeah.

    Grace Sunday, 04 June 2023 11:01 AM

    Everybody has the right to dream including those who were rejected by people and came to power by chance

    Spartacus Sunday, 04 June 2023 11:13 AM

    People? Lost faith in politics? As long as we have Baiyo's and Yakko's the carnival will not stop. Last Friday Mahinda and wife graced an occassion in Mount Lavinia. Roads were closed inconveniencing all residents, thousands of yakkos and Baiyo's were in attendance clapping and salivating the kings and queens presence. We still not learnt a lesson after all this.

    Jayantha Sunday, 04 June 2023 12:12 PM

    So then keep the parliamentary election. If no party has majority then it is good for the future and parliament. Sjb and npp should try to work together to get rid of this joker who is equally responsible for destroying the country like rajapaksa family. This guy is actually the shadow of rajapaksas. When ever rajapaksas in trouble he saves them.

    Ray Silva Sunday, 04 June 2023 12:15 PM

    RW is playing games, he's not an elected leader. Must punish the people responsible for the economic collapse! Hold general

    Raj Sunday, 04 June 2023 01:28 PM

    The people proved lost faith in UNP therefore, they voted none for UNPers resulting in the achievement of the UNP in the last general election being a big "Zero" (0). Also, people understand who organized the Aragala and for what purpose the US instigated a plot confirmed, a clear sign of future victory once again by Rajapaksas if conducted election today itself.

    Cheapestlaw Sunday, 04 June 2023 01:34 PM

    Ranil seemed undoubtedly a thoroughly inefficient leader who was graced by the law institution to honor him but he spoke POLITICS out there, thereby, he proved his leadership rules Judiciary and Politics is interlinked by him. So, his appointments in the judiciary too are chosen by POLITICAL INFLUENCE by his WILL.

    Disheartened Sunday, 04 June 2023 01:39 PM

    Do not worry, still, the majority of the people are ready to vote for Rajapaksas, who is considered a savior amongst the large numbers of voters believing, only under his leadership the 30-year-long LTTE TERRORISM came to an end.

    Volker Metzger Sunday, 04 June 2023 03:58 PM

    What Sri Lanka is missing is a unity-creating idea that connects the people and the political actors and those responsible with one another and allows jointly designed and agreed goals to be realized !!! Trust in the politicians and their policies was negligently gambled away in a process that lasted decades and is now being demanded by Ranil, who played and still plays a decisive role !!! How blind to reality does this President live! The development and constitution of an idea that unites all citizens, which should become reality and show the country the way into the future, requires the free development of personality, a consistently democratic structure of society, free media and responsible politicians, who transcend all ethnic differences, for advocate the equality of rights and duties of all citizens and act accordingly! Politicians who act according to these premises can be found outside and inside Parliament! Only these should form the unit across parties and lead the c

    Bernard Jayatilake Sunday, 04 June 2023 04:50 PM

    You are hereby challenged by the educated people of this country to hold any election to teach you an unforgettable lesson in your lifetime never to indulge in politics again to prove who precipitatated the economic crisis and who came forward to protect him by citing various unfounded economic theories to mislead the peope without realizing the ground situation.

    A complete loser President Sunday, 04 June 2023 07:00 PM

    Why would Ranil say no political party can get 50%. It is clear him and his allies are complete failures now, and won't garner 50% of the vote base, but him saying these idiot sayings show how out of touch with reality he is. How can he have a vision for the future if he knows his group (UNP and SLPP combined even) is less 50%. Anyone who takes Ranil as capable, is truly nut lose.

    Tom Jones Sunday, 04 June 2023 07:11 PM

    It looks like a general election is around the corner this year. President is trying to feel the pulse of the people. Price of Petrol and gas has come dow. Please expect a reduction in the electricity bill as well.

    ROSH Sunday, 04 June 2023 08:43 PM

    Unelected master debating president again scare common folks his benefit. Please don’t fell on these trap. Best thing to ask eaglemaithiri to master debate unelected president in front of parliament putting him on hi double bed

    Anu Monday, 05 June 2023 12:10 AM

    We are once who has to decide, Mr President if you keep the election now will show you who has the majority. You predicted we are not interested cause President is elected by the masses of this country.

    Demuni Uduwara Monday, 05 June 2023 04:01 AM

    Ranil Wickramasinghe, don't play with people's voting rights ! Understand, you have no ethical rights to tell you; people have rejected you at the last general election.

    Rocket Science Monday, 05 June 2023 06:08 AM

    Hold the elections to gauge the public opinion, instead of spreading fantasies. Not rocket science.

    Plihakoon Palankade Monday, 05 June 2023 06:25 AM

    Of course, the results of the last election shows your victory with UNP. Now squeezed in to the parliament through an illegal way with support from the Myna group - now they are upset!

    Dr. Ranjith Samarasekera Monday, 05 June 2023 06:49 AM

    Ranil, Sajith challenges you to have the election this year and he will win and prove that he win alone, why not hold the election early and check your luck.

    A.R.M. Fernando [Attorney-at-Law] Monday, 05 June 2023 06:52 AM

    Like postponing the Local Elections, if you postpone the Presidential and General Elections you will learn a bitter lesson from the boiling youths, that is for sure.

    Sudu - Dingiri Banda Monday, 05 June 2023 06:54 AM

    Your plan is to exist as President until your last breath, that will never happen Sir as your days are counted as you are squeezing the blood of the poor man.

    A.G.R.SILVA Monday, 05 June 2023 07:19 AM

    Japan will not get involved because ranil believed rogue nimal siripala and not the japanese ambassador on bribe soliciting charge.

    Hitler Monday, 05 June 2023 10:27 AM

    Ranil doing Politics and for forty years he couldn't become the Head of State. Now he thinks, as he has got this chance, by some fortuitous circumstances, he can continue as Head of State for forty years ?

    Is it an an excuse to postpone other elections too Monday, 05 June 2023 11:11 AM

    What is Ranil's game here. Is he trying to say no person can win Presidential election? Is he saying no point having parliamentary elections. Or merely indicating his group/coalition cannot have 50% voter base. All talk of long term improving country is meaningless if his group is now below 50% voter base and deteriorating.


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