With the declaration of the Presidential Election round the corner, several Tamil political parties and representatives from civil organisations have reached an agreement to present a Tamil common candidate for the forthcoming Presidential Election.
The enactment of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution in Parliament is heading to be unrealistic because it is all set to deny two-thirds for the ruling party in case a vote is taken.
The suspension of personal vehicle imports could be lifted by the middle of next year, said state finance minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured government MPs that the presidential election would definitely be conducted this year.
It is for that purpose only that funds have been allotted by the budget, he told them at a meeting at the President’s House yesterday afternoon (22).
Wickremesinghe scotched allegations by the opposition that he was planning to put off the election.
The president thanked Mahinda Rajapaksa and his SLPP for their support to run the government.
The difficult period for the country is now over, he said, adding that he and his government has shown results, while the opposition confines itself to speeches only.
Date already fixed
Meanwhile, the Election Commission says the date for the election has already been decided and would be announced this week.
Members of the commission are due to meet within the next two days to discuss arrangements for the election.
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa states that as severe economic challenges hit the nation, 25% of the child population is suffering from child poverty, highlighting the need for the initiation of a national programme to eradicate child poverty.
National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake met Japanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Tsuge Yoshifumi yesterday (22).
