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SLFP, UPFA say will support new President’s 100-day programme
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) yesterday said they would extend their support to incumbent President Maitripala Sirisena to implement his 100-day programme and constitutional changes that would benefit the public and reduce executive powers.
SLFP Deputy Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva while congratulating the new President requested him to stick to the promises made in his manifesto.
“Increasing Samurdhi benefits and salaries of government servants, the removal of casino dealings are included in his 100 day programme and we will extend our fullest support. But the government in return should ensure that separatism will not hit the country’s sovereignty,” he said.
He requested the new President to take all measures to prevent political violence. There have been some instances of violence in Mihintale and Kolonnawa, he said.
UPFA stalwarts Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Dinesh Gunawardene and Nimal Siripala de Silva at yesterday’s news conference. Pic by Indika Handuwala
In response to a question regarding allegations that the Rajapaksa government had helped Kumaran Pathmanantha(KP) flee the country Mr. de Silva said the present government should conduct an inquiry if there were such allegations.
He also added that the leadership of the SLFP should not be changed and that Mahinda Rajapaksa should be its leader.
“The posts of Speaker and Leader of the House are decided by the ruling government. All our Ministry portfolios are annulled when the new Prime Minister is appointed. We will be addressing the technical issues of the new Prime Minister’s appointment in the near future,” he said.
Meanwhile United People’s Freedom Alliance’s General Secretary Susil Premajayantha said the party humbly accepted President Sirisena’s victory as it was the people’s choice.
“The UPFA will support the country’s development and assist in maintaining peace and unity. The policies in the manifesto that maintain democracy and the welfare of the public will be supported by us,” he said.
Former Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the country that has been handed over to Maitripala Sirisena by former President Rajapaksa is at the peak of development which was achieved because of the peace that has been maintained.
“At the swearing in ceremony the National Anthem was sung only after the new President was sworn in. This must have been because it was organised in a rush. We hope these things do not occur again,” he said.
Former Minster Wimal Weerawansa said that former President Rajapaksa has not retired from his political career, but only taken a small step back.
“We will ensure that he does not remain at home, doing nothing,” he said, adding that the hard-earned peace by soldiers should not be jeopardised.
“We may stay in two camps but we are in the same country. We will be watching whether steps are being taken towards implementing good governance. The Rs. 40 fuel tax relief, and the Rs.10,000 salary increase for government employees are among the promises that have to be fulfilled,” he said.
Mr.Weerawansa charged that more than 450 employees of the Ports Authority have not been allowed to enter the premises and that the Chairman of the Rupavahini Corporation has been told not to report for work.
Udaya Gammanpila from the Jathika Hela Urumaya said the majority of the Sinhalese population have rejected the new President and despite the theme ‘maitree rule’ there had been a number of incidents of political violence in Embilipitiya and Kolonnawa.