SL foreign policy based on SWRD’S political philosophy: MS

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday his decisions on global issues were based on the foreign policy contained in the political philosophy of former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and pointed out that he did not have any overt or covert links with any foreign country.

“Even when the Government is winning over the international community, some groups are complaining that I am betraying the country. Our foreign policy is based on Mr. Bandaranaike’s political philosophy and nothing more or nothing less,” he said when he

Even when the Government is winning over the international community, some groups are complaining that I am betraying the country. Our foreign policy is based on Mr. Bandaranaike’s political philosophy and nothing more or nothing less

addressed the 16th commemoration ceremony of veteran politician Dharmasiri Senanayake who was also a former president of the SLFP and a party stalwart and a minister. “On January 8, 2015, 6.25 million voters elected me as the President of Sri Lanka. I will not let them down and do my utmost to fulfil their hopes, expectations and aspirations,” the President said adding that the new Constitution would be formulated with the consensus of all our citizens.

“Some of the members in the committee appointed to review suggestions and draft the new Constitution describe the proposed new constitution as a death trap,” he said.

“It was the then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike-led SLFP which opposed the 1978 Constitution and highlighted the need for a new constitution. Thereafter, the election manifestos of both former presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike and Mahinda Rajapaksa promised to formulate a new consititution. I wonder why some groups are opposing it now,” the President said. “I will continue to protect the policy and the vision of the SLFP. What we required today is a commitment by all stakeholders to bring about a transformation in the country.”

He said Mr. Senanayake was a democrat, a humanitarian political leader and an exemplary role model for today’s politicians.