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Last Updated : 2024-05-20 20:47:00
10 May 2024 06:35 am - 62 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
-MPs perturbed with EC announcement on presidential race
-Presidential election to be declared first week of August
In the wake of the Election Commission officially announcing that the Presidential election will be held between September 17 and October 16, a faction of both government and opposition MPs have expressed concerns as they prefer a parliamentary election first, Daily Mirror learns.
This follows the remarks by the founder of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Basil Rajapaksa who reiterated that his party maintains its stance that the general election should take place before the presidential election.
In addition to government MPs, a significant number of opposition MPs, the majority of whom are from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), prefer a general election, citing the potential to attract a broader voter base.
Against this backdrop, President Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have attempted to convince the government parliamentary group that the Presidential election must take place this year in accordance with the Constitution.
According to the Election Commission, the Presidential election should be held this year while the parliamentary election is slated for 2025. However, the President, as the Head of the State, is vested with the authority to dissolve Parliament and call for a snap general election.
Nonetheless, informed sources suggest that it is highly improbable for the President to dissolve parliament, paving the way for a parliamentary election ahead of the Presidential election.
Meanwhile, speaking to Daily Mirror, Election Commission chief R.M.A.L. Ratnayake stated that the presidential election will be declared between the end of July and the early part of August.
Furthermore, the nominations will be called within the specified timeframe in terms of the provisions of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and the Presidential Elections Act No. l5 of 1981.
Joshua Friday, 10 May 2024 06:45 AM
All deal master Basil's work. He is only capable of these kind of work
Amos William from USA Friday, 10 May 2024 11:31 AM
True this is Kaputa Basils work. Never allow this un-educated, un-cultured fellow to interfere with Hon. Presidents decisions.
Jude Friday, 10 May 2024 06:46 AM
Doesn't matter which comes first, most MP's will be wiped out !!
Balla Donkey Friday, 10 May 2024 10:22 AM
Yes, Truth
Beware of Possible Scenarios Friday, 10 May 2024 01:23 PM
All are wishing this day to come sooner. However the security forces are loyal to them and may not allow their removal. Can’t have civil unrest as it will definitely bring SL into the ranks of some African, Myanmar and North Korea kind of rule which will be devastating to peace loving people. Just hope they will follow and practice the Rule of Law and Loving Kindness.
Jude Friday, 10 May 2024 06:47 AM
Can't believe, some MP's think they've a chance to get re-elected!! Huh, wishful thinking!!
Tabitha Bandaranaike Friday, 10 May 2024 12:36 PM
We had better invest in a new prison for politicians, because Welikada will overflow after the elections. We can call it the “ Rajapaksa Niwasa“
Steve Friday, 10 May 2024 07:04 AM
Have both on the same day to satisfy all and save money.
KANDDHUHARALALAGA SURESH ATHULA OLAGAMA Friday, 10 May 2024 12:10 PM
Exactly ... then no one party would get undue advantage ..... can't Imagin how pathetic these politicians are ...!!! when defeat is staring them smack in the face .... a sorry attempt to save themselves... can you believe they genuinely are concerned foe the people ... the writing is on the wall... for you ... pack your bags .. at least now you get to stay until 2025. if GE held early ... good luck ..
jude Friday, 10 May 2024 07:09 AM
Hold all 3 elections on same ballot paper. Dont use public money to see which way the wind is blowing by holding one at a time so politicians can jump ship to the winning party. That's the only reason to hold 3 elections. If countries like US can hold all elections on the same day from President to Mayor, so can Sri Lanka.
Danba Friday, 10 May 2024 07:16 AM
Last will of many MPs. This is selfservice first and country next policy and there is no much difference whether it is presidential or parliamentry comes first for their survival. All of the failed ones collectively desecrate governance and democracy.
Sambo Friday, 10 May 2024 07:18 AM
No Way. As per the president the presidential election is first and it stays that way.
Gerry Friday, 10 May 2024 01:07 PM
Correct. The Constitution is not secondary to the opinion of MPs who seem to be interested only in self-preservation.
Ranjith Friday, 10 May 2024 07:26 AM
Elections have to be held on time it is right of the people Presidential elections 2024 and general elections in 2025 .The most important thing is people have to vote for a young experience President and capable new set of members to the parliament
Amaree Friday, 10 May 2024 07:42 AM
Basil, please be disciplined. Please note that SRI LANKA is neither your dowry nor inherited from Rajapakshas. We all know that SLPP will distribute bottles of arrack to rural people to WIN
Ven Kottawa Dharmakeerthi Thero Friday, 10 May 2024 07:58 AM
Elections are not held as per MPs request, this is Power and Mondy greedy - Potuwa's trick to postpone elections. Only President Ranil Wickramasinghe can decide on elections, none others.
Mark Anthony Perera [Snr. Lawyer from Colombo] Friday, 10 May 2024 08:02 AM
JVP, SJB, UNP, Tamil and Muslim parties majority wants Presidential Elections first, except SLPP and SLFP (Only Mythiripala faction). No changes cannot be done and I am sure even RW is in favour of the Presidential Election to be held first.
Dr. Laxman Samarakoon Friday, 10 May 2024 08:04 AM
No... Basil or No... Mahinda, you guys discarded rotten guys cannot decide on Elections, it is the Elections Commissioner on the instruction of the Hon. President has to decide.
X-tray Justin Friday, 10 May 2024 08:08 AM
Hay foolish guys, can you overtake RW, never. If he says he will do it, don't ever think that he is a puppy like Mahinda or Basil.
S.A. Gunaratne (IT specialist) Friday, 10 May 2024 08:10 AM
Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe (President of SriLanka) please never ever dance for SLPP's looters orders. Be straight and take your own decisions without bending down to nasty creatures.
Prof. J.M. Duraisingheam Friday, 10 May 2024 08:13 AM
This is the plan of Basil only with his thugs in the SLPP. 95% in the Parliament prefer to have Presidential Election. Let Basil shut his mouth as he has no say in this matter.
Up to Something Drastic Friday, 10 May 2024 08:19 AM
Obviously up to some tricks! Don’t listen to them as a planned agenda has been arranged. These fellas must not be brought back to power. They are the main cause of the economic meltdown as they were installed to support Gota’s agenda and most are not interested in the country’s and people’s interests. Just finding ways to increase their wealth.
Christo255 Friday, 10 May 2024 08:52 AM
RW must show resolve and stick to his guns, Presidential election first
Sri Wickrema Friday, 10 May 2024 08:56 AM
And majority of these MPs will definitely loose their seats.
Man Friday, 10 May 2024 09:15 AM
If it is so, why no proposal is passed with a simple majority as Ranil wanted?
Jude Friday, 10 May 2024 09:18 AM
Majority of MP's gonna be out of a job after next general Elections, yeah.
Natalie Friday, 10 May 2024 12:30 PM
I hope they will be out of their stolen loot as we, when the NPP confiscates them.
Man Friday, 10 May 2024 02:37 PM
@Natalie; Before the NPP, the SJB filed a case against the culprits for making SL bankrupt and the sentence delivered. NPP talk only with no any tangible action and it will be so, too. The NPP is a mirage indeed after Gota part I.
LK Friday, 10 May 2024 09:35 AM
Ranil will never listen to them. They try to teach the arts of politics to Ranil. Ranil will teach them a lesson in politics. Ranil has a politics of personal and national interest. He put the country first but with some personal interest in it Unlike Ranil, these MPs put their interest over national Interest. Ranil knows that well. That is why Ranil wants the presidential election first to send these majority home. Anyway, more than 150 MPs out of 225 will go home. Why Basil wants this now? He knows that people will punish his cohort and send them home. then Basil will have to face the court as .. Diana did. All predictions are NPP will win with a landslide majority. You will not be able to play with NPP in politics; they are doing real politics.. you can not bribe NPP? you cannot commit any fraud with NPP. All have to stand for justice. Justice will be a metric in their politics, not your family, friendship, race, ethnicity, or anything else. These majority are in no man land now
Gamini Friday, 10 May 2024 09:37 AM
it's all about themselves and their survival and not about what the people want
jo Friday, 10 May 2024 10:07 AM
So called Majorities are rejected minorities in this country now. Who cares what they say. Like in India, we also should have a NOTA (Non Of The Above) option to reject all these crooks.
Dr Saman Friday, 10 May 2024 10:24 AM
One thing for sure - UNP and SLFP will be wiped out
Naganathan Friday, 10 May 2024 10:27 AM
Price of gold will go up further because without the support of Tamil MPs no southern party can form a government. Even sinhala MPs can't resist the temptation for gold.
sach Friday, 10 May 2024 10:59 AM
Tamils should support a Tamil candidate this time
Man Friday, 10 May 2024 03:40 PM
To help the most dislike unless the second and the third preference marked by all the Tamils.
R Navaratnam Friday, 10 May 2024 11:17 AM
Could not help laughing at those MPP who PREFER Parliamentary Elections first. I doubt those MPP's understand the meaning of the word PREFER. I would encourage those MPP to understand the constitution and follow.
Dinuka Samarasekara Friday, 10 May 2024 11:38 AM
Because they know if the Ranil will easily win if the Pres election held first and he could nicely form a UNP majority Govt
Yapa MMK Friday, 10 May 2024 11:40 AM
Even the General Election comes before the Presidential Election, for sure - SLPP will be lose very badly like UNP in the past election. Moreover, the Leaders will run away to another country and the old blocks like Gamini Lokuge and other thugs will have to find ways to hide.
F.R.M. Basanayake (Attorney-at-Law) Friday, 10 May 2024 11:42 AM
This is Basil's cunning game, never allow MR or Basil to play games on Elections with the rotters and rogues in the SLPP.
Rajit Friday, 10 May 2024 11:45 AM
It’s best to have both once.
Man Friday, 10 May 2024 03:36 PM
No way according to the commission due to lack of manpower and money. Time periods of the two are also different to one another.
Sam Silva Friday, 10 May 2024 05:56 PM
It really doesn't matter. Another set of crooks will be elected and we will not see much difference.
M.M.H. Hanifa Haji (UNP organizer Kalmunai) Friday, 10 May 2024 11:46 AM
Yesterday's secret SLPP meeting at Battaramulla Office Mahinda, Basil, Aluthgamage, Ratharang, Jonny etc., would have planned to go for the General election. Hon. President should not dance according to these rogues and he should take his own decision holding Presidential Elections first.
Nimal Friday, 10 May 2024 12:20 PM
Why do they want to go home so early?
sam Friday, 10 May 2024 12:21 PM
Reduce the cost by having all elections together. Presidential already fixed or Sept/Oct
Joe Friday, 10 May 2024 12:45 PM
Majority of the uneducated self dealing crooked
A Pohottu Supporter Friday, 10 May 2024 01:16 PM
How come MPs who were elected for 5 years now want to have an election? These MPs must be removed and they should never be elected again
A Pohottu Supporter Friday, 10 May 2024 01:54 PM
Does the American with a Grade 10 qualification and who cannot speak English and with some experience in pumping petrol want to decide the dates of the Election in Sri Lanka?
Sam Friday, 10 May 2024 03:01 PM
He is number one deal make look at jet fuel supply by Canal fuel from USA. Dhammika Perera's brother is the front man. For lot of people many things are stake if the Rajapaksa loses.
Dominic Soyza Friday, 10 May 2024 02:54 PM
Basil had given so many millions from Mahinda's pocket canverse some old Potuwa MPs. to throw the money and gain votes in all Districts.
Last chance Friday, 10 May 2024 03:36 PM
Ranil looks for his survival, pohottu goons look for their survival, presidential election will be good for Ranil as he could get around 1 million votes ,if parliamentary election is held it will be the same result he got at the previous parliamentary election.
Do not try to fool us again Friday, 10 May 2024 04:02 PM
If MPs want this, let's do the opposite...that's the best option XD
FredSnR Friday, 10 May 2024 04:23 PM
Presidential Elections screams one headline Parliamentarians want general election screams another, not to be taken too seriously, these announcements.Just planned noise possibly, for public consumptionWhen they are serious they will tell you What is going on in the background may be more important or is it a lack of confidence on the outcome?
Ian Friday, 10 May 2024 04:36 PM
Big Lie. They want to wait till they can. If they so want a general Election, they can all resign now and the general Election will follow automatiocally.
Adam Friday, 10 May 2024 04:52 PM
Its high time the President announce the Presidential Election and shut the mouths of the SLPP parliamentarians. In any case their days are numbered in parliament. They should get ready to pack their bags to run away when the results are out.
Hurin Palangoda Friday, 10 May 2024 05:36 PM
Bring a NC motion against an unelected man! Then Balu Kaputiu Nari Myna all can all vote for this to kick this Nari Aliya out!!
ignatius Friday, 10 May 2024 06:22 PM
Ranil wants presidential election first. He wants Kaputas support to WIN. If General elction first - Then Ranil is OUT. Kaputas will win General election and vote Ranil OUT.
das Friday, 10 May 2024 06:30 PM
I am not a pohottuwa voter, but you people commenting are very much mistaken if you think we can get rid of pohottuwa guys that easily. They can still get around 5 million votes even though they are silent
Che Friday, 10 May 2024 07:15 PM
Perhaps conducting all 03 elections together on the same day could help save considerable amounts of monies
C Citizens Friday, 10 May 2024 10:25 PM
Those who talk much are frightened of elections. People don't care whether general elections or presidential elections they are waiting eagerly to throw all of you out once and for all
SL Canadian Saturday, 11 May 2024 01:53 AM
@LK - If you say " Ranil has a politics of personal and national interest. He put the country first but with some personal interest in it Unlike Ranil, these MPs put their interest over national Interest." then why on the earth we vote for inexperienced and talk only NPP who has not done and iorta of work when we have Ranil who has done the hard work for the benefit of SL ??
Sam Moorthy Saturday, 11 May 2024 07:15 AM
Nominating the so called common Tamil candidate is beyond stupidity by the Tamil parties. One wonders why no one is asking to become that candidate who has absolutely no chance to win this election? This stupid referendum proposal is not going to do any good to Tamil people. If the goal is to make the international community to now come forward to create federal state for Tamils. We know it very well that at the level of the UN security council, China and Russia will always veto intervention. Everyone knows well, even the UN Human Rights Council supported resolutions against Sri Lanka were a failure against war crimes investigations and punishment. Dear Tamil politicians (CVV, MAS, Sivagnanam, Premachandran and others), please stop deceiving the Tamil populations and let the Tamils support the only politician, Ranil Wickeremesinghe who has vowed to implement the 13A agreement. Don't waste the voice of Tamils at the presidential election by misguiding into the Tamil candidate concept.
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