PRESIDENT TO MAKE SPECIAL STATEMENT ON SL ARMED FORCES

UN General Assembly 2018 in New York

President Maithripala Sirisena said he would make a special statement on September 24 at the 73rd UN General Assembly, 2018 in New York to exonerate members of the armed forces of Sri Lanka from allegations levelled against them.

President Sirisena added that he was scheduled to address the UN General Assembly, 2018 on 24th of this month and he was expected to make a fresh statement before the Assembly to free the security forces personnel from the allegations levelled against them on war crimes once and for all.

Addressing the SLFP Nivitigala Bala Mandala meeting after the opening of the Balamandala building at the Nivitigala public fair premises, in Ratnapura, President Sirisena went on to say that there was unnecessary concern in the country regarding the conducting of an early Presidential poll and added there will be no Presidential election before the due date although certain media outlets gave publicity to that effect.

“I have no intention whatsoever to go for a snap Presidential Poll before the due date. Those who suggest an early Presidential Poll should know that it was me and me alone as the Executive President who would decide on the date of conducting the Presidential election,” he emphasized.

According to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, after the next presidential election the powers of the Executive President will be restricted and the key position of the government

will be the post of Prime Minister. Therefore, the discussion among all who are in politics must be on the selection of a better Prime Minister for the country and but not about the next presidential election.

“The next Prime Minister must be a clean, corruption free, patriotic and down to earth politician who could listen and find solutions to the problems of all communities and the people,” he stressed.

Expressing his views on current political situation in the country, President Sirisena said if SLPP and UNP overestimate their political strength, that was a mistake and said whatever value given by themselves to their parties, no one could form a government without the support of the SLFP.

Political parties which emerge centered on individuals and survive on individuals were temporary and as such the country needs political movements with a clear vision and policies, President Sirisena pointed out. He noted that the SLFP which has a vision for the motherland was now moving forward successfully while strengthening its organizational structure. ‘Even though whatever allegations were levelled against me

by the political opponents, I will continue to fulfil the duties towards the country, much more than anyone has done in the past,” he said. He also said that he created an environment where a common man could reach the highest level while strengthening democracy and vesting the superior powers of the Executive Presidency in the Parliament and no other leader in the world did so.

The President said that even though the main allegation against the SLFP was that it joined with the UNP, the SLFP was compelled to do so to fulfil some tasks which could not be fulfilled by the previous government.

He recalled that today the government was able to win the support of the international community and whose cooperation is now used for the benefit of the country.

Commenting on the development activities in the Ratnapura district, President Sirisena said he will instruct the relevant authorities and the police to allow the people to engage in gem mining using kooda cane-sacks in rivers and canals in Ratnapura from this week.

The President felicitated and presented gifts to 10 senior SLFP members of Rathnapura district for their long period of contribution to the development of the SLFP.

Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Vijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, State Minister Weerakumara Disanayake, Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Nivitigala SLFP organizer Miyuru Bhashitha Liyanage, Jagath Pushpakumara, Athula Kumara Rahubadda and many other SLFP activists participated on this occasion.