MS indicates retirement not in his plans

President Maithripala Sirisena 

• Says he prefers active politics to retirement 
• Speculation he will enter Parliament as National List MP
• SLPP-SLFP to ink new alliance on 31 Oct.

By Chandani Kirinde

President Maithripala Sirisena offered clear indication yesterday that he planned to continue in active politics after his term in office ended with the election of his successor following the 16 November election. 

“I prefer active politics to a life of retirement,” the President said through his official Twitter account last evening. 

This is the clearest indication that he plans to enter Parliament through the National List at the end of his term as has been speculated for days.

Meanwhile, an agreement between the SLFP and the SLPP to form an alliance called the Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandanaya will be signed on 31 October.

President Sirisena and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa are to be named Co-Leaders of the party.