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Last Updated : 2024-04-29 09:06:00
8 April 2023 12:10 pm - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
- Ranil says he will consult all parties concerned and a presidential poll may be held early 2024
- Informs opposition MPs that he presently has the numbers in Parliament
- Will call for Parliament to work as one after IMF agreement presented in House
President Ranil Wickremesinghe will contest the next Presidential Election and has hinted at a possible presidential poll to be held early next year, the Daily Mirror learns.
In a meeting held with minority political party parliamentarians this week, Wickremesinghe informed them that he would contest as a presidential candidate and would call for an election early next year following consultations with the Elections Commission, Treasury and Attorney General.
Wickremesinghe also informed the opposition parliamentarians that the economy was on an upward trend and would improve in the coming months. The President said the country was in a better position when compared to a few months ago and once the economy stabilizes, he would consult all political parties and other parties concerned and call for a presidential poll.
The President further said that he would call on all political parties in parliament to work as one to implement the IMF reforms in order to strengthen the economic revival after he presents the IMF agreement before Parliament in April or May.
To those opposition parliamentarians who want to join the government, Wickremesinghe encouraged these MPs to come with their respective groups or political parties and if the party leadership is not willing to join the government, then the MPs can cross over on their own.
Sources who attended the meeting told Daily Mirror that Wickremesinghe had however informed the parliamentarians that he presently had a comfortable majority in Parliament, and hence he was not in any rush to take MPs from the opposition. He said if these MPs want to cross over they should do so voluntarily and not under political pressure or expecting portfolios in return and those who do not want to cross over, but yet want to support him can do so.
He said such MPs would be allocated tasks and designations to support the government while being in the opposition so that all parties could be united in taking the economy further.
Several opposition parliamentarians including from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya are in discussions with the President and have informed him that they are ready to support him in taking the country forward. (Jamila Husain)
Abigail Saturday, 08 April 2023 12:38 PM
Hahahaha... U tasted the power of that seat sir... Now it's a curse... It's like the lord of the rings..... My precious..... Hahahaha... Sri Lankan politics at its best
C Saturday, 08 April 2023 12:50 PM
Hope they finaly get together and work gor the country and not narrow and or personal goals. We are nowhere near the potential of this country, time for MP's to do what's right. .
Sunil Saturday, 08 April 2023 01:09 PM
With all his heinous activities of suppressing basic human rights and doing virtually nothing to uplift the economy and against a backdrop where most of rural folk are undergoing immense hardship it would be a miracle if he can garner more than 5% of the popular vote.
Manu Saturday, 08 April 2023 01:51 PM
Job Well Done
PM Saturday, 08 April 2023 02:14 PM
Are you joking? LOL
Cherath Saturday, 08 April 2023 02:16 PM
It might well be for all political strategists to ponder if a man who had his political party completely wiped out not winning a single seat at the previous general election to be elected President just 4 years later. Reflection of an electorate with serious mental defects or a man who could wriggle out through any quagmire ?
Tinpot president and his merry criminal. Saturday, 08 April 2023 02:23 PM
He is treating the citizens like idiots once again. This is a red herring so that people forget about the local elections. The election will never happen and the president and his criminal syndicate with keep wrecking the country.
Jagath Ekanayake Saturday, 08 April 2023 02:25 PM
He should first hold local elections. This sounds like another con job from the con artist.
Dillani Ranatunga Saturday, 08 April 2023 02:29 PM
Flat hopes to run another few years. Ranil should know he and his henchmen ruined the country and still trying to grab power. Step down if you have some wisdom when you know the middle class and poor are suffering - results of your govt 's management.
Ama Saturday, 08 April 2023 03:00 PM
Saji Baba, this time you are out. Therefore, either you join Hon RW or field SF. People now know your leadership qualities and capabilities.
Rob Saturday, 08 April 2023 03:14 PM
It's a very good thing to have a good team and govern to over come all the mess and put the country in a position to recover quickly work towards strong economy for prosperity everyone should contribute for a speedy recovery and work towards the new reforms without jeopardizing the future for all and generation to come
Lank Saturday, 08 April 2023 03:14 PM
Keep it up and there is no alternative as of now except JVP ..all thieves will now support Ranil to escape punishment..Ranil better for them than any one else ..Now you see a lot of people beg Ranil for jobs
Blessing Saturday, 08 April 2023 04:10 PM
RW is scared of election. All these talks are just to make the people silent and to make them forget the LG Election.
Yohan Saturday, 08 April 2023 04:34 PM
Lucky if he can get 5% of the votes contesting from UnP.
DJ Saturday, 08 April 2023 04:35 PM
Nothing new. The Greed continues more and more.
Tissa Fernando Saturday, 08 April 2023 06:03 PM
At present, Ranil is the most suitable candidate for the job. A lot of people will support him. Although Ranil may not be a patriot person, the rest of the candidates are basically contractors for other countries. So the least devil in the lot is Ranil.
Karalasingam Sivalingam Saturday, 08 April 2023 06:04 PM
Ranil is the most suitable candidate to contest the presidential election and as the incumbent president. There are critics ,but they cannot put forward a candidate to match the calibre of Ranil
Volker Metzger Saturday, 08 April 2023 06:21 PM
I think Ranil lives to a large extent in his own fantasy-enriched world of politics, which is inconsistent with the real, lived world of humans! The majority of people continue to suffer from the economic situation, accompanied by great concern for the future, especially for children! What is surprising, however, is the President's belief and optimism regarding his possible re-election in 2024! Large parts of the population, who reject him as a politician with a highly questionable understanding of democracy, are no longer blinded by political tricks and deceptions, which Ranil undoubtedly masters! This rejection of Ranil by the people of Sri Lanka is a great opportunity for a well-led, unified opposition with a corresponding, convincing claim to leadership!
Gb Saturday, 08 April 2023 07:47 PM
This dictator, has something fishy planned, maybe he will buy votes, jail opposition for protesting or maybe execute them, no telling what ranil hitler is upto
Shehan Bandara Sunday, 09 April 2023 10:44 AM
Ranil will not conduct elections in 2024. He knows that he will lose. We divided in various ways and it made us poor. Politicians use this division for their personal advantage. A leader must rise truly keep people together in all parts in Sri Lanka. Sajith is not capable, old fashioned and not matuared. Perhaps, we need to make SF as the next president and Ranil needs to support SF. However, sadly, Ranil will make a deal with Basil to win elections and it will fail this time. Reality will show up when we start paying international loans which we stopped paying.
Citizen k Sunday, 09 April 2023 01:00 PM
The emperor's New clothes.
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