Discontinuity of coalition Govt. after LG polls will betray people’s mandate, says Arjuna

Thursday, 1 February 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Petroleum Resources Development Minister Arjuna Ranatunga stated that if the system of coalition Government does not continue after the Local Government election, it will be a betrayal to the people’s mandate.

Pointing out that Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and United National Party (UNP) contest in the LG polls separately, he asserted that the two parties should rather be united for the betterment of the country.

“In the last presidential election, people voted for President Maithripala Sirisena without considering political parties. No party received majority, because expectations of the people were to unification of two main political parties. We don’t require party politics now. We can build up political parties anytime, but not the country. Therefore, two main political parties should be unified in the LG election, if not it will be a betrayal to the people’s mandate,” Ranatunga said, at a welfare program of ‘Game Pansala-Gamata Saviyak’ held at Kolonnawa Rajamaha Viharaya yesterday.

He further stated that the President and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have a good mutual understanding.

“During past two years, we were able provide proper solutions to the main political parties in the country. As the major task, two main political parties should be unified to give solutions for future development of the country. Most of the people believe that there’s a dispute between the President and the Prime Minister. It is a matter of fact of change in attitude, just like among husband and wife. They can provide wise solutions, because they are intelligent individuals,” Ranatunga said.

Although there are differences in principles between SLFP and UNP, the Minister stressed that the two parties are united today for the betterment of the country. “There is media freedom now, which people asked for. Democracy is given more than enough so that people can live freely. People requested of to punish the wrongdoers, and that is the only thing we could not do. But we are happy about what we have done,” Ranatunga added.