SLPP says will present qualified and credible presidential candidate

• Calls on Government to hold elections so people can make the right decision

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday said the party was focusing on a qualified, competent and clean candidate for the next election, and called on the Government to hold polls rather than speculate on the Opposition candidate. 

SLPP MP Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said the conduct of the Government has become so disreputable that the public have started to openly declare their dissatisfaction to their representatives. He pointed out that earlier it was possible for politicians to intervene in certain situations of public interest, but now politicians are openly scolded when they are in public. 

“Clearly the public are fed up of this Government and want the change to elect a new set of representatives. But the Government has not said when they will hold the elections. They have three fears, the Presidential Election, the General Election and the Provincial Council Elections. Recently, the Elections Commissioner went on record saying that if the Provincial Council Election is not held before the Presidential Election, he will step down. I don’t think this will happen but the remark shows how difficult the circumstances have become to hold polls,” he told reporters at Party Headquarters. 

The Parliamentarian also said the United National Party (UNP) was attempting to divert attention away from the problems within the UNP by speculating on who the SLPP presidential candidate may be. Reiterating that the SLPP will announce their presidential candidate on 11 August, he pledged that it would be a person who has the best interests of Sri Lanka at heart. 

“A senior UNP member recently said the presidential candidate should at least have passed the O/L exam. This is the low opinion they have of presidential candidates. They need not be concerned, the SLPP is aware of its responsibilities and the need to present a competent candidate to the public. At present, the public is clearly readying to cast their votes against the Government, so no matter who the Opposition candidate is they will gather behind that person. Once the elections are announced, we have no doubt the people will carry out their duty. This is very clear, and the main reason why the Government is trying to avoid having elections.” 

Abeywardena said the SLPP is aware that the best way to counter the dissatisfaction of the public is to present a competent and credible candidate who can restore the confidence the politicians of the present administration have lost. He also stated this will be the only way to get the public service and other arms of the State to function again, and restore people’s confidence in Government institutions.