UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene stated that if a General Election were to be held first, no party would garner enough power in Parliament to form a government independently. Therefore, he believes it is timely to hold to a Presidential Election to prevent further destabilization of the country.
He emphasized that creating an unstable Parliament in the future could risk stalling the country’s development, potentially necessitating another General Election within the next 2 1/2 years.
Wijewardene expressed these views while addressing the media yesterday (29) after visiting the Mahanayakes of Malwathu and Asgiri Maha Viharaya sects and receiving their blessings. He advocated for a presidential election to be held by October of this year, endorsing President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s stance favouring a general election first.
Wijewardene asserted that if President Ranil Wickremesinghe were to win the presidential election and continue his economic programme for another five years, many of the country’s problems could be resolved. He highlighted that not only the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna but also many MPs representing the opposition, including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, are demanding a general election.
Wijewardene noted that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is running as a common candidate in the Presidential election, receiving support not only from the UNP as the party leader but also from numerous individuals in the Podujana Peramuna and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.
Asela Kuruluwansa