By
Dharisha Bastians
President Mahinda Rajapaksa changed after the war ended and peace was achieved, his main opposition challenger, Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.
“The executive presidency ruins people and misdirects them. It is a problem with the system, irrespective of individuals,” Sirisena told journalists in Kandy yesterday.
He said the SLFP had been agitating against the executive presidency since 1978.
“As far as I know, the Sri Lankan executive presidency has no parallel in the world for the enormous amount of power it affords the holder of office,” Sirisena explained.
The Opposition candidate explained that there had been discussions about the problems with the executive presidential system within the Government while he served. “All the ministers and MPs talked about it, whatever they might say in defence of the system today,” he revealed.
Sirisena said if elected, he would towards restoring democracy and rule of law in the country.
Since announcing his candidacy and deciding to leave the Government, Sirisena said he felt relieved.
“I feel like an enormous pressure on me has lifted. My mind is clear now. I have an opportunity to work for the people and this country. This is making me happy – maybe that’s why I am starting to look better,” he quipped in response to a question by a journalist.
Skipping Parliament yesterday, Maithripala Sirisena paid homage to the Sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy and invoked the blessings of the Chief prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters.
Sirisena, who was accompanied by UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya, UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella and DNA MP Arjuna Ranatunga, held discussions with the Chief Prelate of the Asigiriya Chapter, Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera yesterday.
Thereafter he met with the Anunayake the Malwatte Chapter Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera, since the Chief Prelate of Malwatte was overseas.
Following his meetings, Sirisena told the media that he had received the blessings of both chapters. The former Health Minister said that as a Sinhalese Buddhist he had resolved upon taking up this challenge to contest the presidency, that he would strengthen reconciliation among Sinhalese, Muslims and Tamil people.
Striking a note for religious freedom Sirisena pledged to ensure the freedom of faith and promote reconciliation between religious groups in Sri Lanka, a cause heavily championed by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga through her think-tank SAPRI.
During his visit to Kandy, where there is a large Muslim population resident, Sirisena also visited a mosque and held discussions with devotees and religious elders in the premises.
Tissa Attanayake,Ranga Bandara and Thewarappermua Say They wont Cross over to Govt side
Three UNP Members strongly rumoured to be crossing ranks to the Government yesterday strongly denied the claims.
UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, who was reportedly being baited by the UPFA in a tit-for-tat move against the snatching of SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena, announced that he had no intention to cross over on the UNP’s official Facebook page yesterday.
Attanayake has been unavailable for comment over the telephone.
UNP MPs Palitha Range Bandara and Palitha Thawarapperuma also denied they were crossing over.
Both MPs said they would not thwart their elected mandates by crossing over for money.
They made statements in Parliament yesterday, denying the rumours on websites and social media. Responding to the MPs’ claims, Government Spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said claims that the Government was attempting to buy Opposition MPs were totally false.
Rambukwella claimed a large group of UNP members were waiting to hold a meeting with their Party Leader to express their dissatisfaction regarding the choice of candidate to contest President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“The Government is no way shaken by these recent political developments,” Rambukwella said.
The MPs emphasised that they have no intention of leaning towards a Government where lawlessness rules.
Courtesy:Daily Ft