May 28th 2024.
Earlier this week, the United National Party, led by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, proposed a plan to postpone both the presidential and general elections for two years. This proposal aims to focus on implementing economic reforms to stabilize the country's economy.
According to the Elections Commission, the presidential election is scheduled to take place between September 17 and October 16. However, the UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara believes that the current circumstances warrant a delay in the elections.
Bandara presented a proposal to postpone both elections for two years and suggested that it can be formally submitted to Parliament for consideration if necessary. He emphasized the importance of this proposal in light of the current economic adversity faced by the nation.
"The nation faced economic adversity, but resolute measures were taken to steer it away from the brink. These efforts yielded significant victories," Bandara told reporters.
He also highlighted the achievements made under President Wickremesinghe's leadership, including regaining international trust, stabilizing the economy, and providing relief to citizens. He attributed these successes to the government's administrative reforms and the return to normalcy in the education system.
However, Bandara stressed that the country's current needs do not align with an immediate election. Instead, he called for unity among all members of Parliament to support the proposal to extend the current President's term by two years, along with a corresponding extension of the current Parliament's tenure.
Bandara urged for support from all political parties, including opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, to prioritize stabilizing the economy over holding elections. He also mentioned that the government has reached agreements with international donors, such as the IMF and World Bank, on economic reforms, which require the extension of the President and Parliament's terms to be successful.
"Stabilizing the economy is more important than anything," Bandara emphasized, adding that a referendum would be the most democratic way to extend the terms of the President and Parliament.
It's worth noting that President Wickremesinghe, who took office after the previous president Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation, has reiterated his intention to hold the next presidential election this year, followed by the parliamentary election.
However, Minister of Fisheries and the leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party Douglas Devananda believes that President Wickremasinghe's experience, performance, and management ability make him the best candidate to continue leading the country during these challenging times.
Speaking at an event in Jaffna, Devananda expressed his opinion that Wickremasinghe should continue to be the President, and the people of the country should also support this decision.
In other political news, a new alliance called 'Sarvajana Balaya' was formed in Colombo on Monday, with seven political parties joining forces to contest the forthcoming elections. This alliance includes Dilith Jayaweera's Mawbima Janatha Party, MP Wimal Weerawansa's National Freedom Front, MP Udaya Gammanpila's Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, MP Vasudewa Nanayakkara's Democratic Left Front, the Communist Party, MP Gevindu Kumaratunga's Yuthukama National Organisation, and a collective of independent MPs led by MP Channa Jayasumana.
According to the alliance, their main objective is to find solutions for the country's current crisis and formulate a strategic plan that goes beyond empty promises.
"At a time when the country is facing an unprecedented crisis, those of us coming together as 'Sarvajana Balaya' recognize the need to move beyond criticism and find solutions," Jayaweera stated during the event.
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