SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa has ruled out creating political trouble in order to obtain a snap general election, but insisted his party’s sole objective is to hold that election as soon as possible.
Rajapaksa made these known to president Ranil Wickremesinghe when they met for talks last Thursday night.
He told the president the final decision should be taken in view of the public opinion and their well-being.
The president has already told his cabinet to prepare for a presidential election first.
He told Rajapaksa that he had no intention of putting off elections, when the latter raised rumours that the government intended to do so when it proposed changes to the electoral system.
Further, Rajapaksa noted the administrative issues that prevail as a result of the postponement of elections for provincial councils and local bodies.
Privatising state institutions should first be discussed with the Buddhist clergy and the nationalist camp, he added.
