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

• Says interests of jumping fish should not be entertained
• Jumping fish are only interested in amassing wealth 
• SJB says ready for any election

By Kelum Bandara   

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 honoured 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 honour 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.