by

Zacki Jabbar

The next Presidential election was likely to be held before Jan. 13 2015 the government said on Friday night.

Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, who is also the Cabinet Spokesman, when asked for a tentative date for the Presidential Poll amidst various time frames ranging between January to March being mentioned by members within the ruling UPFA , told The Island that it might be held around mid January 2015.

Queried if the election would be conducted before or after Pope Francis’s visit to Sri Lanka, which is due to take place from January 13 to 15, the Minister replied “I think it will be before his arrival.”

The final vote on the budget is to be taken on November 24 and not much time is left between then and Jan. 13. Asked if there was enough time for campaign purposes and polls preparations, Minister Rambukwella said that it would not be an issue since the relevant authorities had previously organised elections at short notice.

The UNP which is campaigning for the abolition of the Executive Presidency said that it had no objection to Rajapaksa seeking a third term since it was confident of winning the Presidential race. It has called on all Opposition parties including some in the government to support Wickremesinghe as their common candidate.
Courtesy:The Island